Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of molecular biochemistry and medicine, and in particular to ligands comprising modified amino acid residues, targeting the amyloid-? peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease for prevention of aggregation, neurotoxicity and use thereof as drugs for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the presence of a discordant helix in a protein or peptide is predictive of that protein or peptide's ability to form amyloid. The invention includes methods for detecting discordant helices and methods of screening for compounds that stabilize the ?-helix of a discordant helix-containing polypeptide. Compounds discovered using these methods are useful for treating or preventing disorders in which amyloid is produced. Such disorders include Alzheimer's disease and prion-associated disorders.

Abstract: A method involves screening a candidate compound for activity in the treatment of a condition associated with formation of amyloid protein fibrils in a mammal, such as Alzheimer's disease. It is determined whether the trimer/monomer ratio of a chaperone protein is decreased in the presence of the candidate compound. The chaperone protein is or has a high identity to the Brichos domains of Bri2, Bri3 or proSP-C from human. Monomers of the chaperone proteins and/or compounds that promote formation of these monomers are useful for medical treatment of the condition.

Abstract: An isolated protein is provided for use in treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, familial Danish dementia and familial British dementia in a mammal, including man. The isolated protein is selected from the group consisting of proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to residues 90-236 of Bri2 from human; and proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to any one of the Brichos domains of Bri2 from human, chimpanzee, bovine, pig, mouse and rat.

Abstract: An isolated protein selected from the group consisting of (i) proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to the C-terminal domain of lung surfactant protein C precursor (CTproSP-C, “CTC”) from a mammal; and (ii) proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to the Brichos domain of CTproSP-C from a mammal, is disclosed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a mammal, including man.

Abstract: An isolated protein is provided for use in treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, familial Danish dementia and familial British dementia in a mammal, including man. The isolated protein is selected from the group consisting of proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to residues 90-236 of Bri2 from human; and proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to any one of the Brichos domains of Bri2 from human, chimpanzee, bovine, pig, mouse and rat.

Abstract: An isolated protein selected from the group consisting of (i) proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to the C-terminal domain of lung surfactant protein C precursor (CTproSP-C, “CTC”) from a mammal; and (ii) proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to the Brichos domain of CTproSP-C from a mammal, is disclosed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a mammal, including man.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the presence of a discordant helix in a protein or peptide is predictive of that protein or peptide's ability to form amyloid. The invention includes methods for detecting discordant helices and methods of screening for compounds that stabilize the ?-helix of a discordant helix-containing polypeptide. Compounds discovered using these methods are useful for treating or preventing disorders in which amyloid is produced. Such disorders include Alzheimer's disease and prion-associated disorders.

Abstract: A method involves screening a candidate compound for activity in the treatment of a condition associated with formation of amyloid protein fibrils in a mammal, such as Alzheimer's disease. It is determined whether the trimer/monomer ratio of a chaperone protein is decreased in the presence of the candidate compound. The chaperone protein is or has a high identity to the Brichos domains of Bri2, Bri3 or proSP-C from human. Monomers of the chaperone proteins and/or compounds that promote formation of these monomers are useful for medical treatment of the condition.

Abstract: An isolated protein is provided for use in treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, familial Danish dementia and familial British dementia in a mammal, including man. The isolated protein is selected from the group consisting of proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to residues 90-236 of Bri2 from human; and proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to any one of the Brichos domains of Bri2 from human, chimpanzee, bovine, pig, mouse and rat.

Abstract: An isolated protein selected from the group consisting of (i) proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to the C-terminal domain of lung surfactant protein C precursor (CTproSP-C, “CTC”) from a mammal; and (ii) proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to the Brichos domain of CTproSP-C from a mammal, is disclosed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a mammal, including man.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the presence of a discordant helix in a protein or peptide is predictive of that protein or peptide's ability to form amyloid. The invention includes methods for detecting discordant helices and methods of screening for compounds that stabilize the &agr;-helix of a discordant helix-containing polypeptide. Compounds discovered using these methods are useful for treating or preventing disorders in which amyloid is produced. Such disorders include Alzheimer's disease and prion-associated disorders.