Abstract: A phosphacan proteoglycan molecule, or a functional derivatives thereof, binds to brain cells and to a number of cell adhesion molecules including Ng-CAM and N-CAM. Such proteoglycan molecules or functional derivatives, as well as nucleic acids coding therefore are useful in treating a subject having a disorder associated with conditions where it is desirable to promote nerve regeneration. The compositions and methods of the present invention are also useful for diagnosing and monitoring human tumors such as gliomas and astrocytomas.

Abstract: Monoclonal IgM antibodies which promote central nervous system remyelination when given to a mammal afflicted with a demyelinating disease are disclosed. These antibodies show multi-organ autoreactivity, and recognize both surface and cytoplasmic determinants on glial cells.

Abstract: ST2 ligand polypeptides are provided, along with DNA sequences, expression vectors and transformed host cells useful in producing ST2 ligand polypeptides. The ST2 ligand polypeptide binds to a receptor that is expressed on cell types that include certain Hodgkin's Disease-derived tumor cells.

Abstract: DMS present in the brain of individuals susceptible to cerebral amyloidosis disintegrate into DMS components to form cerebral amyloid plaques and other DMS components that are removed from the brain via circulating bodily fluids. Detecting the presence of these removed DMS components in circulating bodily fluids provides a diagnostic mechanism to determine the onset of cerebral amyloid plaque formation. Antibodies also can be raised against isolated DMS components and subsequently utilized in a diagnostic method capable of detecting the onset of cerebral amyloid plaque formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric neurotrophic factors which comprise at least a portion of a naturally occurring cellular factor and a portion of at least one other molecule such that the resulting chimeric molecule has neurotrophic activity. It is based, in part, on the discovery that chimeric molecules comprising portions of both NGF and BDNF are likely to possess neurotrotrophic activity, and in some cases exhibit a spectrum of activity larger than that of either parent molecule. It is further based on the discovery that chimeric molecules comprising neurotrophic factor sequences as well as additional peptide sequences may retain neurotrophic activity, and in some cases may exhibit a more potent activity than the parent factor. The chimeric neurotrophic factor molecules of the invention provide a number of advantages relative to naturally occurring neurotrophic factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a labelled .beta.-amyloid peptide of active fragment; a composition including the labelled .beta.-amyloid peptide or active fragment thereof and a pharmaceutical carrier; a method for labelling the .beta.-amyloid peptide or an active fragment thereof, and methods of using the labelled peptide or peptide fragment for detecting or monitoring Alzheimer's disease in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor, and provides for CNTF receptor nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. It also relates to (i) assay systems for detecting CNTF activity; (ii) experimental model systems for studying the physiologic role of CNTF; (ii) diagnostic techniques for identifying CNTF-related neurologic conditions; (iv) therapeutic techniques for the treatment of CNTF-related neurologic and muscular conditions, and (v) methods for identifying molecules homologous to CNTF and CNTFR.

Abstract: A thromboplastin extract including an aqueous thromboplastin extract of a powdered thromboplastin source including a metal ion chelator. A thromboplastin reagent for use in blood coagulation tests, the thromboplastin reagent includes the extract and calcium ions, and may include one or more of a stabilizer and a preservative.A process for preparing a thromboplastin extract including extracting a powdered thromboplastin source in an aqueous solution having a metal ion chelator, and separating the powder in solution into sedimented powder and supernatant thromboplastin extract. The supernatant thromboplastin extract is mixed with calcium ions, and may be mixed with one or more of a stabilizer and a preservative, to prepare thromboplastin reagent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which makes possible the isolation of the luminal endothelial cell membrane from associated tissue. It is particularly applicable to vasculature, but broadly is applicable to all tissue cavities which are accessible from adjacent perfusable lumens. The method involves the identification of characteristic molecules (primarily proteins and lipids) associated with the luminal surface of the any endothelial membrane in situ by utilizing a novel membrane-isolation scheme to separate the endothelium from associated tissue. In this method, the endothelial luminal plasmalemma of a given organ is coated with colloidal silica by perfusion, a pellicle is formed, the coated area of tissue is excised and the coated plasmalemma fragments are isolated from the cognate homogenate by centrifugation. The isolated plasmalemma attached to the pellicle can then be subjected to biochemical analysis to identify and catalogue molecules characteristic of the endothelial membrane.

Abstract: Dense microspheres can be extracted and purified to substantial homogeneity from mammalian brain tissue, and used in the screening of therapies for potential effectiveness in impeding the formation of amyloid fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cerebral amyloidosis. Compounds that, at in-tissue concentrations of 10.sup.-5 M or less, inhibit amyloid formation in a test animal injected intracerebrally with dense microspheres are particularly useful in inhibiting treating cerebral amyloidosis. Antibodies to DMS (dense microspheres) are also disclosed.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding .beta.-amyloid-related proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease are disclosed. Also provided herein is a DNA sequence encoding a novel protease inhibitor. These sequences are used in producing or constructing recombinant .beta.-amyloid core protein, .beta.-amyloid-related proteins and recombinant or synthetic immunogenic peptides. Antibodies generated against the recombinant proteins or immunogenic peptides derived therefrom can be used for cerebral fluid or serum protein diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro tissue culture-based assay for amyloid deposition specific for Alzheimer's disease which is suitable for routine drug screening analysis. Immunological diagnostic reagents for Alzheimer's disease are also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising nerve growth factor and 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene useful for the induction, stimulation, and maintenance of nerve growth, and methods of potentiating choline O-acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase by 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric neurotrophic factors which comprise at least a portion of a naturally occurring cellular factor and a portion of at least one other molecule such that the resulting chimeric molecule has neurotrophic activity. It is based, in part, on the discovery that chimeric molecules comprising portions of both NGF and BDNF are likely to possess neurotrotrophic activity, and in some cases exhibit a spectrum of activity larger than that of either parent molecule. It is further based on the discovery that chimeric molecules comprising neurotrophic factor sequences as well as additional peptide sequences may retain neurotrophic activity, and in some cases may exhibit a more potent activity than the parent factor. The chimeric neurotrophic factor molecules of the invention provide a number of advantages relative to naturally occurring neurotrophic factors.

Abstract: Method for treatment of a disease in a patient characterized by accumulation of .beta.-amyloid. The method includes identifying a patient potentially suffering from such a disease and contacting a neuron of the patient with a therapeutically effective amount of a tachykinin agonist such as substance P. Methods for screening for compounds useful for treating such a disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides both agonist and antagonist nerve growth factor peptides. The NGF blocking peptides can be used to inhibit the expression of mRNA and their encoded proteins whose expression is stimulated by NGF, such as .beta.-protein precursor and prion proteins, which proteins or their products are associated with neurodegenerative disorders, whereas the NGF agonist peptides can be used to treat neoplastic disorders such as neuroblastomas.

Abstract: An immunosuppressant factor derived from human glioblastoma cells.

Abstract: A formulation is described for systemic delivery and controlled release of a trophic factor. The formulation comprises a glycolipid carrier component which delivers trophic factor, such as nerve growth factor, to a target organ. The glycolipid carrier protects the trophic factor from degradation by enzymes typically endogenous to the human body.

Abstract: A composition comprising nerve growth factor and 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene useful for the induction, stimulation, and maintenance of nerve growth, and methods of potentiating choline O-acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase by 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease are due to lack of a disorder-specific neurotrophic hormone or factor. Diagnosis is accomplished by assaying factors specific for a particular neuronal network or system; for example, dopamine neutotrophic hormones from striatum or caudate-putamen in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neural system are used to diagnose and treat parkinsonism. With tissue culture, the presence or absence of spacific neurotrophic factos can be assessed in ALS, parkinsonism, and Alzheimer disease. If there is a deficiency, extracted and purified neurotrophic factors specific to the particular neuronal network or system can be injected into a patient having ALS, Alzheimer disease or parkinsonism for treatment of the disease.

Abstract: Substantially pure bovine pituitary fibroblast growth factor, a 146 amino acid residue polypeptide, is produced. The amino acid residue sequence of bpFGF is disclosed as well as a DNA chain encoding the polypeptide. By appropriately inserting a synthesized DNA chain into a cloning vector and using the cloning vector to transform cells, synthetic bpFGF can be obtained from transformed cell lines, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.

Abstract: The neural cell adhesion molecule is used in nerve prostheses for the repair of peripheral nerve damage in mammals, both animal and man. In particular, in a process wherein a crushed or severed nerve ending is entubulated by use of a prosthetic device, a neural cell adhesion protein is added to the prosthetic device to increase the rate of growth of the fibrous components of the nerve, to more rapidly regenerate the nerve, and provide a more complete restitution of the function of the muscle served by the regenerated nerve.

Abstract: A channel protein has a molecular weight of approximately 280 kD and is capable of affecting K.sup.+ and Cl.sup.- membrane transport. Furosemide and quinine derivatives, and polysaccharide or monosaccharide gels incorporating such derivatives, are useful in treating membrane transport, cellular volume and cellular pressure disorders and in producing the channel protein. The channel protein is used in diagnostic assays and screening assays is described.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for neurological and psychiatric disorders utilizes the cerebrospinal fluid incubated in the presence of 32-P labelled ATP and an appropriate protein kinase. After termination of the reaction, a sample is applied to gels for electrophoresis. Subsequent autoradiography results in a disease-specific protein pattern that can be used for diagnosis of disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, Parkinson disease, dystonia ataxia, schizophrenia, epilepsy brain tumors, brain irradiation, head trauma, and acute and chronic encephalitic and vascular disease.

Abstract: Two substantially purified larval T. solium antigens found circulating in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients infected with T. solium, having molecular weights of 190 KD and 230 KD, are disclosed. These antigens, alone or in combination, may be used to diagnose or to follow the course of neurocysticercosis, caused by T. solium infection.