Abstract: Provided herein is a method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder (e.g., MS) in a subject in need thereof, comprising (a) administering to the subject a first dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fumarate agent (e.g., DMF) for a first dosing period; (b) administering a vaccine; and (c) administering to the subject a second dose of the pharmaceutical composition for a second dosing period.

Abstract: An infusion pump drive and its methods of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the infusion pump drive may include a transmission component and a spring in line with the transmission component. Displacing the transmission component may compress the spring to apply a force causing fluid to dispense from an associated reservoir. Depending on the particular embodiment, the transmission component may either be displaced continuously or displaced multiple times to dispense fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing SOD-1 mRNA and protein expression. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate SOD-1 associated diseases, disorders, and conditions. Such SOD-1 associated diseases include amyotrophic sclerosis (ALS).

Abstract: The invention provided herein includes isolated polypeptides that specifically block the interaction between neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and albumin. Blocking the interaction treats diseases and conditions caused by increased amounts of albumin or modified albumin that possesses pathogenic properties wherein it is deemed desirable to decrease albumin levels. Accordingly, also provided are methods of using these isolated polypeptides to treat various diseases and conditions caused by increased amounts of albumin or modified albumin that possesses pathogenic properties. The invention provided herein also includes isolated polypeptides capable of binding to a non-IgG and non-albumin competitive site on an FcRn alpha 3 domain. These can be useful for tracking FcRn without inhibiting IgG or albumin binding or function. Accordingly, the invention also includes methods and systems to track FcRn without inhibiting IgG or albumin binding or function.

Abstract: Provided are certain methods of screening, identifying, and evaluating neuroprotective compounds useful for treatment of neurological diseases, such as, e.g., multiple sclerosis (MS). The compounds described upregulate the cellular cytoprotective pathway regulated by Nrf2. Also provided are certain methods of utilizing such compounds in therapy for neurological disease, particularly, for slowing or reducing demyelination, axonal loss, or neuronal and oligodendrocyte death.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), and for reducing flu-like symptoms associated with administration of an interferon to a patient with MS. The method involves intramuscularly administering the interferon to the MS patient according to an escalating dosing regimen in weeks 1 to 3, and a full therapeutically effective dose of interferon in week 4. In one embodiment of the invention, the escalating dosing regimen comprises administering one quarter of the therapeutically effective dose in week 1, half of the therapeutically effective dose in week 2, and three-quarters of the therapeutically effective dose in week 3. Also provided are titration packages for enabling compliance with a regimen of changing dosage of an interferon over a period of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to alpha-4 binding antibodies, and fragments thereof.

Abstract: A novel receptor in the TNF family is provided: BAFF-R. Chimeric molecules and antibodies to BAFF-R and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating diseases, disorders or injuries involving motor neuron survival and axonal growth, including amylotrophic lateral sclerosis, by the administration of a LINGO-2 antagonist.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions containing compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, that metabolize to monomethyl fumarate with certain pharmacokinetic parameters and methods for treating, prophylaxis, or amelioration of neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis using such compositions in a subject, wherein if the compositions contain dimethyl fumarate, the total amount of dimethyl fumarate in the compositions ranges from about 43% w/w to about 95% w/w.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of Formulas (I?), (I), (II?) and (II), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods for their use and production.

Abstract: Natalizumab is a safe and efficacious treatment for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's Disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Chain swapping between natalizumab and IgG4 molecules acts to reduce the level of bivalent natalizumab present following administration of natalizumab, and thus to lower the activity of natalizumab in the patient. Differences in IgG4 levels across patients or within a single patient across time may change the pharmacokinetic profile of natalizumab. Patients with lower levels of IgG4 may experience higher nadir levels of natalizumab during a dosing period. Monitoring IgG4 and/or bivalent natalizumab levels, and determining a dose or dosage period based on the monitoring may improve the safety and/or efficacy of natalizumab therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel hybrid soluble ActRIIB-ECD polypeptides which fully retain binding affinity for myostatin and activin A but demonstrate significantly reduced binding to BMPs, especially BMP-9. The novel compositions described herein can be used to prepare novel hybrid ActRIIB ligand trap proteins, which can be used for modulating the growth of muscle, bone, cartilage, fat, fibroblast, blood and neuronal tissue to counteract muscle wasting, bone loss, anemia, inflammation and fibrosis in a therapeutically meaningful manner. Because these novel next-generation myostatin/activin inhibitors are safer and more effective molecules than the currently available myostatin inhibitors, they are useful in a wide variety of clinical indications.

Abstract: Embodiments related to methods and wearable medical detecting systems for detecting disease states and/or treatment states of a subject are described. In one embodiment, a wearable structure may include one or more radiation detectors use to detect a time varying radiation signal emitted from a labeled compound within a body portion of interest. The radiation signal may be analyzed to determine one or more signal characteristics that may be compared to one or more predetermined standard characteristics associated with known disease and/or treatment states to determine a current disease and/or treatment state of a subject.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and reagents for analyzing samples for the presence of JC virus antibodies. Disclosed is a method that includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject (e.g., plasma, serum, blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid), contacting the sample with highly purified viral-like particles (HPVLPs) under conditions suitable for binding of a JCV antibody in the sample to an HPVLP, and detecting the level of JCV antibody binding in the sample to HPVLP. In one embodiment, determining the level of anti-JCV antibodies in the subject sample provides a method of identifying PML risk in a subject.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits comprising an anti-LINGO antibody molecule are described herein useful for detecting and/or treating a CNS demyelinating disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating splicing of SMN2 mRNA in a subject. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy. Also provided are kits for detecting the amount of SMN protein in a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device to mechanically and electrically connect with a touch screen computing device, such as a tablet computer. The device can include a platform that can be moved into and out of physical contact with a surface of a touch screen. During engagement with the surface, the moveable platform electrically interacts with the touch screen (e.g., via capacitive coupling) to enable detection by the touch screen of contact members (e.g., pegs) even in the absence of user contact with the pegs.

Abstract: Formulations and dosage regimens of anti-Blood Dendritic Cell Antigen 2 (BDCA2) antibodies are provided. These formulations and dosage regimens find use in the treatment of BDCA2-associated disorders such as systematic lupus erythematosus, cutaneous lupus eiythernatosus, and discoid lupus erythematosus, and cytokine release syndrome.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) or (II) can modulate the activity of S1P receptors.