Abstract: The invention relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of impaired synaptic plasticity. The invention also relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of toxicity of A? oligomers. The invention also relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. The invention also relates to methods of medical treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of impaired synaptic plasticity. The invention also relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of toxicity of A? oligomers. The invention also relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. The invention also relates to methods of medical treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of abnormal PrP in a sample of blood or urine, said method comprising: (a) diluting the sample with buffer to comprise final concentrations of (i) 10 mM to 500 mM buffer agent; (ii) 1% to 10% w/v bovine serum albumin; and (iii) 1% to 8% w/v CHAPS; (b) adding steel particles and incubating to allow PrP binding; (c) washing the steel particles to remove diluted sample; and (d) detecting abnormal PrP captured on the steel particles using antibody capable of binding said abnormal PrP. The invention also provides compositions and kits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of abnormal PrP in a sample of blood or urine, said method comprising: (a) diluting the sample with buffer to comprise final concentrations of (i) 10 mM to 500 mM buffer agent; (ii) 1% to 10% w/v bovine serum albumin; and (iii) 1% to 8% w/v CHAPS; (b) adding steel particles and incubating to allow PrP binding; (c) washing the steel particles to remove diluted sample; and (d) detecting abnormal PrP captured on the steel particles using antibody capable of binding said abnormal PrP. The invention also provides compositions and kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a ?-form of a prion protein which preferably has more ?-sheet than ?-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the ?-form in medicine, especially for raising antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native ?-form of a prion protein to a ?-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an agent such as an antibody capable of reacting with PrP in the prevention of prion replication in a subject, in the treatment or prevention of prion infection, in the treatment or prevention of neuropathology associated with prion infection or in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of prion disease. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of treatment of prion disease, methods of inhibiting prion replication and antibodies for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a ?-form of a prion protein which preferably has more ?-sheet than ?-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the ?-form in medicine, especially for raising antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native ?-form of a prion protein to a ?-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the presence of prions in a tissue/organ or fluid therefrom; said method comprising the steps of: contacting the tissue/organ with one or more devices, wherein said devices are capable of binding prions; removing said devices from contact with said tissue/organ; determining if said devices are binding prions wherein the device is contacted with the tissue/organ for 120 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for typing a sample of a prion or spongiform encephalopathy disease, a kit suitable for use in such a typing method, a method for identifying infection in an animal and/or tissue of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a method for assessing and/or predicting the susceptibility of an animal to BSE, a kit for use in such an assessment and/or prediction method, a method for the treatment of a prion disease, and compounds suitable for such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a ?-form of a prion protein which preferably has more ?-sheet than ?-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the ?-form in medicine, especially for raising to antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native ?-form of a prion protein to a ?-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and materials for use in the typing, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of prion disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a &bgr;-form of a prion protein which preferably has more &bgr;-sheet than &agr;-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the &bgr;-form in medicine, especially for raising antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native &agr;-form of a prion protein to a &bgr;-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a &bgr;-form of a prion protein which preferably has more &bgr;-sheet than &agr;-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the &bgr;-form in medicine, especially for raising antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native &agr;-form of a prion protein to a &bgr;-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.