DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for hemiplegia — screening already-approved drugs against its 27-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleHemiplegia maps to a 27-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for hemiplegia is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
adenosylhomocysteinase (AHCY) — AHCY is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet naddrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 1LI4 · 2.01 Å · ligand NICOTINAMIDE-ADENINE-DINUCLEOTIDE (NAD). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2004 study identified a novel heterozygous mutation in the ATP1A2 gene, causing a threonine-to-asparagine replacement (T378N), in a Greek family with four members affected by alternating hemiplegia of childhood across two generations. The mutation lies in the ATPases phosphorylation site of the hydrolase domain, and functional data indicated loss of function of the mutated Na,K pump α2 subunit. This was the first mutation associated with alternating hemiplegia of childhood reported at that time. The abstract provides no treatment or outcome data.
A 2020 retrospective review of 25 Nigerian children with acute hemiplegia admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital found viral encephalitis in 11 patients (44%), meningitis in 6 (24%), and sickle cell anaemia in 6 (24%). Associated features included prolonged seizures (68%), speech defect (32%), cranial nerve deficit (36%), and loss of consciousness (12%). Within a three-month follow-up, 4 children (16%) recovered completely, 19 (76%) had varying degrees of weakness, 2 (8%) died, and 12 (48%) were lost to follow-up. The authors concluded that central nervous system infections and sickle cell disease were dominant aetiological factors.
A 1991 book review describes a text on selective trunk activity in the treatment of adult hemiplegia, but provides no patient data, outcomes, or evidence of efficacy. A 2020 abstract on hemiplegia complicated by opposite hemichorea states that movement disorders during hemiplegias also extend to the healthy half of the body, but gives no patient numbers, results, or treatment information.
What is missing for any drug-repurposing approach to hemiplegia is a clear molecular target validated in human trials, adequate sample sizes with long-term follow-up, and patient stratification by aetiology — the Nigerian study shows that causes vary widely, and 48% of patients were lost to follow-up. No abstract in this set reports a drug trial or a repurposed compound.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Journal of Medical Genetics · 2004 · 129 citations · open access
A novel mutation in the <i>ATP1A2</i> gene causes alternating hemiplegia of childhood
AbstractAlternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC, MIM 104290) is a rare syndrome, characterised by early onset of episodic hemi- or quadriplegia lasting minutes to days. The majority of patients are sporadic. Only a few familial cases are reported in the literature. \nHere we describe a new familial case from a Greek island with four affected members in two generations, the mother and three out of four children. All patients share a normal karyotype. Due to the partial clinical overlap of familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) with AHC, we screened the ATP1A2 gene coding for the α2 subunit of the Na,K pump, associated with FHM type 2. \nWe found a novel heterozygous mutation segregating with the disease and causing a threonine to asparagine replacement (T378N). This missense mutation localises to the ATPases phosphorylation site of the hydrolase domain. The affected residue is highly conserved in all the known α subunits of the Na,K and Na,H pumps from vertebrates to invertebrates. Functional data suggest that loss of function of the mutated ATP1A2 isoform is involved in generating the disease phenotype. This is the first mutation associated with AHC identified so far.
American Journal of Occupational Therapy · 1991 · 61 citations
Right in the Middle: Selective Trunk Activity in the Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia Right in the Middle: Selective Trunk Activity in the Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia DaviesPatricia M., MCSP, Dip, Phys. Ed. (1990). Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 44 Hartz Way, Secaucus, NJ 07096–2491. 277 pp., $35.
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology · 2008 · 21 citations · open access
Treatment of alternating hemiplegia of childhood with aripiprazole
AbstractWe report the pharmacological treatment of a case of alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) in a 14-year-old female with an established diagnosis. Although the patient's symptoms are consistent with those of the condition, she did not respond to treatment with haloperidol, flunarizine, or propranolol. Treatment with aripiprazole resulted in a reduction in the frequency, duration, and severity of episodes of alternating hemiplegia, along with other therapeutic benefits. After treatment with aripiprazole was started, the patient was inadvertently given an inactive drug, resulting in a worsening of her hemiplegic episodes, which improved again on rechallenge. A comparison of the pharmacological actions of successful and unsuccessful treatments for AHC is made. Modulation of both dopamine and histamine systems together appears to be important in the treatment of AHC and further investigation of such pharmacotherapies is suggested.
Efficacy and Acceptability of Reduced Intensity Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children Aged 9–11 years with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study
AbstractOBJECTIVE: Assess efficacy and acceptability of reduced intensity constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Single-subject research design and semi-structured interviews. Children (9-11y) with hemiplegia underwent five baseline assessments followed by two weeks CIMT. Six further assessments were performed during treatment and follow-up phases. The primary outcome was the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (MUUL). Quantitative data were analysed using standard single-subject methods and qualitative data by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four of the seven participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in MUUL (3-11%, p < .05). Two participants achieved significant improvements in active range of motion but strength and tone remained largely unchanged. Qualitative interviews highlighted limitations of the restraint, importance of family involvement, and coordination of treatment with education. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced intensity CIMT may be effective for some children in this population; however it is not suitable for all children with hemiplegia.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 1969 · 1 citations
MANAGEMENT OF THE HEMIPLEGIC PATIENT
AbstractA bstract In the past hemiplegic patients often have been considered hopeless cripples and relegated to some chronic disease institutions or nursing homes, there to vegetate for their remaining years. Our experience indicates that regardless of the extent of disability, the hemiplegic patient always can be helped to some degree by a dynamic program of rehabilitation. Presented briefly are discussions on the care and treatment of hemiplegic patients during the acute phase, the management of residual defects, and the objectives of a rehabilitation program. It is essential to learn the natural history of hemiplegia in order to suggest the proper treatment for the proper patient at the proper time. The goals of rehabilitation must be realistic. Evaluation should include long‐range planning and establishment of the therapeutic limitations. The patient's functioning and adjustment to his handicap depend greatly upon the family's attitudes toward him and his disability. With proper management of the disability, the hemiplegic patient can look forward with hope to years of useful life.
Acute hemiplegia: aetiology and outcome in Nigerian children.
AbstractINTRODUCTION: acute hemiplegia of childhood is a postnatally acquired nonspecific clinical response of the brain to various aetiological insults in a child who was neurologically normal at birth. This study aims at evaluating the aetiology and outcome of acute hemiplegia in children admitted into the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Nigeria. METHODS: a 5-year retrospective review of all children admitted to the Neurology Unit of the Department of Paediatrics of UCTH with a diagnosis of acute hemiplegia. The demographic characteristics of the children and the clinical features were noted. Investigations including neuroimaging of the brain and haemoglobin genotype were documented. The outcomes of the patients were recorded as either dead, recovered with deficit or loss to follow up. Data obtained was analysed using the SPSS version 24. Simple tables were used to display the results in number and percentages. RESULTS: twenty-five children with diagnosis of hemiplegia were admitted. Associated clinical features were prolonged seizures (68%), speech defect (32%), cranial nerve deficit (36%) and loss of consciousness (12%). Viral encephalitis was the common aetiology in 11(44%) of the patients, followed by meningitis and sickle cell anaemia in 6(24%) patients each. Four(16%) of the patients recovered completely within the follow up period of three month, 19(76%) had varying degrees of weakness; 2(8%) died. Twelve (48%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: central nervous system infections and sickle cell disease as dominant aetiological factors of acute hemiplegia in Nigerian children. This calls for effective infection control and genetic counselling.
Neurology Bulletin · 2020 · 0 citations · open access
Hemiplegia complicated by opposite hemichorea
AbstractHemiplegias of cranial origin are among such clinical pictures, with which a neuropathologist meets especially often. But, in spite of this, science has not yet said its last word about them. Moreover, some of the symptoms of suffering still remain poorly understood even from the outside, not to mention their pathogenesis. We know, for example, that movement disorders during hemiplegias also extend to the healthy half of the body; these disorders, which have long attracted the attention of observers, are in their considerable part described with sufficient detail; However, at least from time to time, the clinic presents us with new combinations, which indicate how deeply and together with how differently the disease of one hemisphere can affect the motor functions of the other.
Preventing Recurvatum in the Patient with Hemiplegia
AbstractJournal Article Preventing Recurvatum in the Patient with Hemiplegia Get access Helaine Lipson, B.S. Helaine Lipson, B.S. 1Mrs. Lipson is Staff Physical Therapist, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C. 20007. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Physical Therapy, Volume 50, Issue 4, April 1970, Pages 511–512, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/50.4.511 Published: 01 April 1970
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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