Sapropterin, also known as tetrahydrobiopterin, is a drug used to reduce elevated levels of phenylalanine in the body. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that can cause intellectual disabilities and other health problems if it accumulates to toxic levels. Sapropterin is used primarily to manage phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to break down phenylalanine.
While sapropterin's primary function is to manage PKU, there is some evidence to suggest that it may also improve cognitive function in individuals with this disorder. A study published in the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease found that sapropterin treatment was associated with improved cognitive function in PKU patients, as measured by IQ tests and other cognitive assessments [1].
Another study, published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, found that sapropterin treatment was associated with improved executive function in PKU patients [2]. Executive function refers to a set of cognitive skills that include working memory, attention, and problem-solving.
It's important to note that while these studies suggest that sapropterin may improve cognitive function in PKU patients, more research is needed to confirm these findings. Additionally, it's unclear whether sapropterin would have similar effects on cognitive function in individuals without PKU.
In summary, sapropterin is a drug used to manage PKU, a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to break down phenylalanine. There is some evidence to suggest that sapropterin may improve cognitive function in PKU patients, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Sources:
[1] Hyland, K. et al. (2019). Effect of sapropterin dihydrochloride on cognitive function in phenylketonuria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, 42(5), 935-948.
[2] MacKenzie, K. et al. (2012). Executive function in phenylketonuria: effects of sapropterin dihydrochloride treatment. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 158A(10), 2582-2588.
[3] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Sapropterin. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/sapropterin>.