Abstract: A method of treating a person with a substance abuse disorder, in particular, opioid abuse and psychostimulant abuse with a chemokine receptor antagonist pharmaceutical composition. The antagonist comprising five contiguous amino acids having the general structure: A-B-C-D-E in which A is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, or Ile; B is Ser, Thr, Asp, or Asn; C is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, or Trp; D is Tyr and E is Thr, Ser, Arg, or Gly. The amino acids are D stereoisomers. The method both relieves a person's symptoms and reduces the person's risks of addiction.

Abstract: The present invention relates, broadly, to the improvement of cognition by methods to shift neurons from a state or condition of loss of synapses and dendritic spines to one of formation/regeneration of synapses and dendritic spines. A novel mechanism appears to control a neuronal stress response and improve memory and learning by rebalancing synapse and dendritic spine dynamics to favor their formation. Methods are disclosed to enhance the number of functioning synapses and dendritic spines which is expected to improve overall cognitive function.

Abstract: A method of treating a person with a substance abuse disorder, in particular, opioid abuse and psychostimulant abuse with a chemokine receptor antagonist pharmaceutical composition. The antagonist comprising five contiguous amino acids having the general structure: A-B-C-D-E in which A is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, or Ile; B is Ser, Thr, Asp, or Asn; C is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, or Trp; D is Tyr and E is Thr, Ser, Arg, or Gly. The amino acids are D stereoisomers. The method both relieves a person's symptoms and reduces the person's risks of addiction.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed that induce broadly HIV theraputic and vaccine inducing antibodies against diverse HIV clades and relate to the ability to identify HIV gp120-derived short peptide sequence immunogens and various therapeutic compositions made from the identified peptides which compose CCR5 binding sites. Also disclosed are methods of selecting peptide sequences that are likely candidates for drugs which will offer effective treatment in such areas as Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and other diseases associated with the human inflammatory cascade as well as related retroviruses such as HTLV-1, the cause of tropical spastic paraparesis.

Abstract: A method of treating liver inflammation in an individual caused by excess fat deposition, sometimes called “fatty liver disease”, which may be caused by metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or gut microbial dysbiosis, and which may lead to the serious and potentially life-threatening condition of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A composition composed of an all-D amino acid peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is prepared and administered to a patient. The D peptide has the general structure: A-B-C-D-E in which A is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Ile. B is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, C is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Lys, Trp, D is Tyr, and E is Thr, Ser, Arg, Gly. The composition acts to suppress inflammation underlying steatohepatitis. The D peptide may be esterified, glycosylated, or amidated at E to enhance tissue distribution by promoting egress from the circulation and penetration into the liver.

Abstract: A method of treatment of pain in a person with a D peptide chemokine receptor antagonist (CRA), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is disclosed. Because chemokines desensitize opiate receptors and enhance the perception of pain said D-peptide CRA, given with a suboptimal dose of an opioid, such as morphine, will restore opioid analgesic efficacy by blocking the cognate chemokine ligand from binding to its receptor and desensitizing the opioid receptor. This strategy of combining a suboptimal dose of morphine with a CRA enhances the potency of morphine, permitting use of lower doses of morphine to obtain equivalent and near maximal analgesia. Lower morphine (opioid) doses have less risk of adverse effects, and potentially also of development of tolerance and dependence.

Abstract: A method of treatment of pain in a person with a D peptide chemokine receptor antagonist (CRA), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is disclosed. Because chemokines desensitize opiate receptors and enhance the perception of pain said D-peptide CRA, given with a suboptimal dose of an opioid, such as morphine, will restore opioid analgesic efficacy by blocking the cognate chemokine ligand from binding to its receptor and desensitizing the opioid receptor. This strategy of combining a suboptimal dose of morphine with a CRA enhances the potency of morphine, permitting use of lower doses of morphine to obtain equivalent and near maximal analgesia. Lower morphine (opioid) doses have less risk of adverse effects, and potentially also of development of tolerance and dependence.

Abstract: A method of treating seizures, epilepsy or loss of brain function in an individual comprising the steps of preparing a composition composed of an all-D amino acid peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The D peptide has the general structure: A-B-C-D-E in which A is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Ile. B is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, C is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Lys, Trp, D is Tyr, and E is Thr, Ser, Arg, Gly. And wherein all amino acids in the D peptide are the D stereoisomeric configuration and said peptide composition is administered in a therapeutically effective dose wherein said composition acts to suppress inflammation underlying the loss of brain function. The D peptide may be esterified, glycosylated, or amidated at E to enhance tissue distribution by promoting egress from the circulation and penetration into the brain.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed that induce broadly HIV theraputic and vaccine inducing antibodies against diverse HIV clades and relate to the ability to identify HIV gp120-derived short peptide sequence immunogens and various therapeutic compositions made from the identified peptides which compose CCR5 binding sites. Also disclosed are methods of selecting peptide sequences that are likely candidates for drugs which will offer effective treatment in such areas as Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and other diseases associated with the human inflammatory cascade as well as related retroviruses such as HTLV-1, the cause of tropical spastic paraparesis.

Abstract: A method of treating liver inflammation in an individual caused by excess fat deposition, sometimes called “fatty liver disease”, which may be caused by metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or gut microbial dysbiosis, and which may lead to the serious and potentially life-threatening condition of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) comprising the steps of preparing a composition composed of an all-D amino acid peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The D peptide has the general structure: A-B-C-D-E in which A is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Ile. B is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, C is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Lys, Trp, D is Tyr, and E is Thr, Ser, Arg, Gly. And wherein all amino acids in the D peptide are the D stereoisomeric configuration and said peptide composition is administered in a therapeutically effective dose wherein said composition acts to suppress inflammation underlying steatohepatitis.

Abstract: A method of treating cosmetic skin conditions in an individual comprising the steps of preparing a composition comprising an all-D amino acid peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The D peptide has the general structure: A-B-C-D-E in which: A is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, B is Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, C is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Trp, D is Tyr, and E is Thr, Ser, Arg, or Gly and wherein all amino acids in the D peptide are the D stereoisomeric configuration and said peptide composition is administered in a cosmetically effective dose wherein said composition acts to improve the appearance of the skin. The D peptide may have a terminal amide (—NH2) or methyl ester moiety to enhance its activity and penetration into the skin.