Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating diseases and pathological conditions or processes mediated by undesired and/or uncontrolled angiogenesis (characterized as “angiogenic diseases”), in particular cancer, by increasing the in vivo concentration of the A? peptide, within a patient suffering from such diseases, conditions or processes. The present invention also concerns diagnostic methods and kits for the detection and measurement of anti-angiogenic A? peptide activity in biological fluids and tissues. Such diagnostic methods and kits can be utilized to screen compounds for potential therapeutic activity in the treatment of angiogenic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in an animal or human afflicted with a cerebral amyloidogenic disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by administering therapeutically effective amounts of the (R)-enantiomer of the dihydropyridine compound nilvadipine, also known as (?)-nilvadipine, to the animal or human. Further provided are methods for reducing the risk of A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in animals or humans suffering from traumatic brain injury by administering (?)-nilvadipine after the traumatic brain injury and continuing treatment for a prescribed period of time thereafter.

Abstract: Provided are compounds useful for treating diseases associated with a cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid, such as Alzheimer's disease. Also provided are methods of treating or reducing the risk of developing ?-amyloid production, ?-amyloid deposition, ?-amyloid neurotoxicity (including abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau) and microgliosis associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid by administering therapeutically effective amounts of the compounds. Further provided are methods for diagnosing diseases associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid in animals or humans by administering diagnostically effective amounts of the compounds.

Abstract: Provided are compounds which can be used in combination for treating diseases associated with a condition associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid, such as Alzheimer's disease. Also provided are methods of treating or reducing the risk of developing ?-amyloid production, ?-amyloid deposition, ?-amyloid neurotoxicity (including abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau) and microgliosis associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid by administering therapeutically effective amounts of compounds which in combination can decrease ?-amyloid production and capacitative calcium entry in cells. Further provided are methods for diagnosing diseases associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid in animals or humans by administering diagnostically effective amounts of the compounds.

Abstract: Methods for assessing the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD), for diagnosing AD, and for measuring the progression of AD in a patient by determining CD45 isoform expression of blood cells obtained from the patient. The methods of the invention include determining CD45 isoform expression by cytometric analysis, quantitative Western immunoblotting, or quantitative RT-PCR or combinations thereof.