Abstract: The present Invention provides a method for diagnosing and/or prognosing Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) comprising the step of detecting O-glycosylation. in a protein comprising a Ser/Thr motive, in particular Serpin A1, and/or the level of sialic acid on a protein comprising a Ser/Thr motive, in particular Serpin A1. Further, the present invention relates to a molecule for detecting O-linked glycomoieties in a protein comprising a Ser/Thr motive, in particular Serpin A1, and/or glycosylated i so forms of a Ser/Thr motive comprising protein, in particular Serpin A1, for use in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), Furthermore, the present invention relates to means for diagnosing and/or prognosing Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and a kit for diagnosing and/or prognosing Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound which is highly selective for CRFR1 without having any significant cross-reactivity for corticotropin-releasing-factor-receptor-2 (CRFR2) and/or corticotropin-releasing-factor-binding protein (CRFBP), said compound comprising or alternatively consisting of the amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No: 1. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical and/or diagnostic composition comprising the novel CRFR1 agonist of the present invention. The present invention also provides a kit comprising the novel CRFR1 agonist of the present invention and optionally instructions to use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligand of the Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF)-binding protein (CRFBP) selected from the group consisting of CRF, Urocortin (Ucn), and Urotensin, said ligand comprising a covalently linked benzophenone moiety. Further, the present invention relates to a process for the purification of a CRFBP which comprises reacting said CRFBP with the ligand of the invention, performing photoaffinity labeling, and purifying the resultant photoreaction products by HPLC. The present invention also relates to the use of the ligand of the invention for detecting CRFBP and for identifying the binding site within CRFBP. The present invention also relates to a method for identifying an inhibitor of the binding of ARF to CRFBP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the antagonistic/agonistic properties of peptidic antagonists/agonists of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR). Further, the present invention relates to an antagonist of the ligand of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR) comprising or alternatively consisting of the amino acid sequence of astressin wherein at least Ala at position 11 is replaced by another amino acid. Further, the present invention relates to an antibody directed against the agonist or antagonist of the present invention. Also described is an anti-idiotypic antibody which is directed against the antibody(ies) of the invention. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical or diagnostic composition comprising the antagonist, the agonist, the antibody(ies) and/or the anti-idiotypic antibody of the invention.