Compositions for restoring gene expression in neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders
Methods for increasing reelin (RELN) levels in the brain of a subject in need thereof, as well as compositions for use in such methods, are provided. In addition, methods and compositions are described herein which may be used in the treatment of neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compositions described herein may comprise whey protein isolate and/or whey protein concentrate, a source of the glutathione precursor cysteine. The provided methods and compositions are not limited to increasing RELN levels, and may be used to correct a number of other neurological disregulations or abnormalities occurring in a subject in need thereof.
1 . A method for increasing reelin (RELN) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of a brain of a subject with schizophrenia, said method comprising:
a) performing a biopsy of the PFC of said subject;
determining the initial RELN level in the PFC from said biopsy; and
b) administering a composition comprising whey protein concentrate and/or whey protein isolate to said subject for 4-6 weeks;
performing a biopsy of the PFC of said subject;
determining RELN level in the PFC from said biopsy;
wherein the measured RELN level from b) is greater than the measured initial RELN level from a).
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the whey protein isolate or whey protein concentrate is undenatured whey protein isolate or whey protein concentrate.