TrkB Receptor Antagonist for Treatment of Cognitive Inflexibility

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to execute multiple mental tasks simultaneously, to switch from one task to the next easily, and to restructure knowledge and strategy to tackle changing tasks. Deficits in cognitive flexibility are associated with multiple psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Despite its critical role in normal mental function, and despite its well documented associated impairment, drugs that selectively target and improve cognitive flexibility are not available.

The present technology shows that excess brain derived growth factor (BDGF) is associated with deficits in cognitive flexibility and that ANA-12 is an effective treatment for cognitive ability.