Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for eliciting an immune response in an animal to produce an antibody that binds selectively to an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-specific epitope.

Abstract: Prion peptides comprising prion epitopes and fusions thereof, that display enhanced immunogenicity are described. Also described are methods of treating and diagnosing prion disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for eliciting an immune response in an animal to produce an antibody that binds selectively to an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-specific epitope.

Abstract: The invention relates to an epitope protection assay for use in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic intervention in diseases, for example, involving polypeptide aggregation, such as prion infections. The methods of the invention first block accessible polypeptide target epitope with a blocking agent. After denaturation of the polypeptide, a detecting agent is used to detect protein with target epitope that was inaccessible during contact with the blocking agent. The invention also relates to novel amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-specific epitopes and their uses to make antibodies, and to the novel antibodies and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for identifying peptides that selectively bind to PrPSc or fragments thereof. The invention also features the use of such peptides in screening methods for the identification of candidate agents useful for the treatment of a prion disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a medical condition, disease, or disorder mediated by a misfolded form of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in a subject in need of treatment. The method optionally comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and an agent selected from (1) an exogenous antibody or fragment thereof that binds selectively to the misfolded form of SOD, and/or (2) an immunogen that elicits production of an endogenous antibody that binds selectively to the misfolded form of SOD, and/or (3) a nucleic acid sequence encoding (1) or (2). In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of treating diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using amyotrophic disease-specific epitopes, and compositions including these epitopes. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to monomeric or misfolded SOD1, and not on the molecular surface of native homodimeric SOD1.

Abstract: The invention relates to an epitope protection assay for use in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic intervention in diseases, for example, involving polypeptide aggregation, such as prion infections. The methods of the invention first block accessible polypeptide target epitope with a blocking agent. After denaturation of the polypeptide, a detecting agent is used to detect protein with target epitope that was inaccessible during contact with the blocking agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an epitope protection assay for use in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic intervention in diseases, for example, involving polypeptide aggregation, such as prion infections. The methods of the invention first block accessible polypeptide target epitope with a blocking agent. After denaturation of the polypeptide, a detecting agent is used to detect protein with target epitope that was inaccessible during contact with the blocking agent. The invention also relates to novel amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-specific epitopes and their uses to make antibodies, and to the novel antibodies and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for identifying peptides that selectively bind to PrPSc or fragments thereof. The invention also features the use of such peptides in screening methods for the identification of candidate agents useful for the treatment of a prion disease.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods of detecting PrPSc. More specifically, the invention provides novel methods of detecting PrPSc in eye fluid extracted from an eye globe of an animal. In contrast to previously known methods, the methods of the invention are readily performed on living animals, thereby facilitating the diagnosis of PrPSc-associated disease prior to death. The methods also feature the decreased presence of antigen-binding factors, which could block antibody-antigen interactions, as well as lower background PrPc.

Abstract: Peptides are disclosed which specifically bind to PrPSc. Methods of identifying these peptides by sequence-independent and/or sequence-dependent screening assays are also disclosed. Various applications of the method and of the peptides identified are described, including their use for identifying drugs for treating prion diseases.

Abstract: This invention features methods for identifying agents that modulate protein aggregation or stabilize protein conformation. Exemplary methods include an in vitro aggregation assay, a native state stabilization assay, a cell-based screening assay, and an animal-based screening assay. These methods can be used to identify agents useful for the treatment of conformational diseases resulting from aggregation of a protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to measure in vivo the effect of a drug on the function of the nerve cells of the brain of a patient suffering from a neurological disease, which comprises the steps of: a) measuring NAA signal intensity using MRS of the brain of the patient; b) subjecting the patient to a treatment with the drug to be tested and measuring NAA signal intensity using MRS of the brain of the patient; and c) comparing the spectra of steps a) and b) to determine whether the drug has an effect on the function of the nerve cells of the brain; whereby the increase in the NAA signal of step b) is indicative of a drug with a positive effect.