Abstract: Novel uses of certain peptides to treat patients suffering from neurological or psychiatric disorders are disclosed. The peptides include the tripeptide hormone MIF and compounds made by modifications of MIF, such as modification of amino terminus residues, carboxyl terminus residues and internal residues, including addition and substitution of amino acid residues and modification of the peptide bonds and functional side groups of respective amino acid residues. The tri-, tetra-, penta-, peptides and polypeptides may be utilized alone or in combination with other agents, to treat patients suffering from physiological, psychosomatic, neurological or psychiatric disorders.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel peptides utilized to treat patients suffering from depression. These novel peptides are modifications of the tripeptide hormone MIF, including modification of amino terminus residues, carboxyl terminus residues and internal residues, including addition and substitution of amino acid residues and modification of the peptide bonds and functional side groups of respective amino acid residues. The tri-, tetra-, penta-, peptides and polypeptides of the present invention may be utilized alone or in combination to treat patients suffering from depression.

Abstract: This invention provides peptidomimetics which bind to T4 or CD4 cell receptors and are useful in inhibiting viral infectivity by viruses which bind to T4 cell receptors. More specifically, peptidomimetics of this invention can alleviate symptoms of AIDS by inhibiting binding of HIV, the virus associated with AIDS, to receptor sites in human cells susceptible to HIV infection. These peptidomimetics, in particular, inhibit binding of HIV to cells of brain membrane and the immune system. They also display substantially longer half-lives in vivo than peptide T. The compounds of this invention which bind to T4 or CD4 receptors and thereby inhibit binding of HIV, alone or in combination with one another, can be used to alleviate AIDS symptoms and ameliorate symptoms of HIV infection, especially neuronal dementias and Kaposi's sarcoma. The compounds of this invention, alone or in combination, can further be used to prevent development of AIDS in persons who might become exposed to HIV.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides, cyclized peptides and peptidomimetics which inhibit the oncogenic and/or transforming activity of the p21 ras protein, pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of the ras-inhibiting peptides, cyclized peptides and peptidomimetics, and methods for inhibiting the ras-mediated oncogenic and/or transformation process in mammalian cells or tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and cyclized peptides which inhibit the oncogenic and/or transforming activity of the p21 ras protein, pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of the ras-inhibiting peptides, cyclized peptides and peptidomimetics, and methods for inhibiting the ras-mediated oncogenic and/or transformation process in mammalian cells or tissues.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel peptides utilized to treat patients suffering from depression. These novel peptides are modifications of the tripeptide hormone MIF, including modification of amino terminus residues, carboxyl terminus residues and internal residues, including addition and substitution of amino acid residues and modification of the peptide bonds and functional side groups of respective amino acid residues. The tri-, tetra-, penta-, peptides and polypeptides of the present invention may be utilized alone or in combination to treat patients suffering from depression.

Abstract: An improved method for the treatment of intractable pain is provided by the present invention. The improved method is the intrathecal administration of a therapeutic composition comprising elcatonin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Intrathecally administered elcatonin produces more potent and prolonged analgesia than elcatonin/calcitonins administered by other routes (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular injection) and/or opiates administered by different routes (including epidural or intrathecal administration).

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel peptides utilized to treat patients suffering from depression. These novel peptides are modifications of the tripeptide hormone MIF, including modification of amino terminus residues, carboxyl terminus residues and internal residues, including addition and substitution of amino acid residues and modification of the peptide bonds and functional side groups of respective amino acid residues. The tri-, tetra-, penta-, and polypeptides of the present invention may be utilized alone or in combination to treat patients suffering from depression.