Abstract: The invention provides a previously uncharacterized protein (gamma secretase activating protein or gSAP) that activates ?-secretase to produce ?-amyloid protein (A?). Deposition of A? has been associated with Alzheimer's disease and other pathologies. The invention thus additionally provides, e.g., screening methods and novel research tools, inhibitors of this novel protein, and methods of diagnosis, treatment and control of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions associated with deposition of A?.

Abstract: Anti-A? globulomer antibodies, antigen-binding moieties thereof, corresponding hybridomas, nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods of producing said antibodies, compositions comprising said antibodies, uses of said antibodies and methods of using said antibodies. The present invention relates to anti-A? globulomer antibodies having a binding affinity to A?(20-42) globulomer that is greater than the binding affinity of the antibody to A?(1-42) globulomer, antigen-binding moieties thereof, hybridomas producing said antibodies, nucleic acids encoding said antibodies, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, host cells comprising said vectors, methods of producing said antibodies, compositions comprising said antibodies, therapeutic and diagnostic uses of said antibodies and corresponding methods relating to Alzheimer's disease and other amyloidoses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified eIF4G1 peptides, uses thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified eIF4G1 peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods and compositions for treating brain conditions. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to a subject suffering from or susceptible to a brain condition an angiotensin (1-7) peptide via either an intravenous or subcutaneous route of administration.

Abstract: This invention demonstrates the formation of a novel polarized membrane lipid raft signaling module in neurons, in response to several diverse neurotoxic stimuli. This polarization occurs well before neurons commit to die, and is an early mechanism in death signaling. The formation of this signaling module is dependent on cholesterol for its formation and provides a mechanistic explanation for the protective effects of cholesterol depleting drugs in several non-neural models of cell death. As such, the formation of the signaling module lends itself as a novel screen for the identification of new drugs and therapeutics which would retard its formation and protect against neuronal injury and death.

Abstract: A method for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with Campath-1H with significant efficacy and a favorable safety profile is described, which offers an acceptable benefit/risk ratio. Especially described is the use of Campath-1H (alemtuzumab) for the production of a medicament for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), comprising a first treatment cycle followed by at least one further treatment cycle of Campath-1H (alemtuzumab), in which each treatment cycle comprises 1-5 daily doses which are applied on consecutive days, wherein the daily dose is >0 and ?12 mg, and wherein each treatment cycle is separated from the next cycle by at least 1-24 months. Also described are treatment regimens comprising the administration of less than 12 mg/day of Campath-1H for a period of 1-5 consecutive days.

Abstract: Multipotent cranial neural crest stem cells and non-lineage committed precursor cells are described. The neural crest cells are capable of self-renewal, of being cultured into clonal spheroids including neurospheres, and of differentiation into neurons or other neuroepithelial cells. The non-lineage committed precursors are capable of differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and are capable of de-differentiation into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Methods of obtaining, generating, isolating and culturing cranial neural crest stem cells and non-lineage committed precursor cells are also disclosed, including methods of providing a substantially pure in vitro cell culture consisting essentially of stem cells capable of multipotent differentiation and de-differentiation to a pluripotent state, which may be used for medical research or preserved for future therapeutic use by their autologous donor or a heterologous recipient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for determination or evaluation of an extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus where the enhancement of activation of neurotrophic factor such as BDNF in cultured cells or the enhancement of activation of proteins participating therein is used as an indicator. The present invention relates to a novel method for determination or evaluation of an extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus and relates to a method for determination or evaluation of the extract where the enhancement of production of neurotrophic factor such as BDNF in cultured cells or the enhancement of activation of various proteins in intracellular signaling pathway participating in production of BDNF, etc. is used as an indicator.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for reducing amyloid plaque burden associated with Alzheimer's disease and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating, i.e. increasing or decreasing, the length and/or the complexity of the dendrites of a neuronal cell by influencing the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD)-related signaling. The present invention further relates to methods for treating age- and/or disease-related cognitive dysfunctions, or for impairing the memory of a subject. Finally, the present invention relates to recombinant VEGFD (rVEGFD) for use in the treatment of age- and/or disease-related cognitive dysfunctions.

Abstract: This invention relates to coated digestive enzyme preparations and enzyme delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the preparations. This invention further relates to methods of preparation and use of the systems, pharmaceutical compositions and preparations to treat persons having ADD, ADHD, autism, cystic fibrosis and other behavioral and neurological disorders.

Abstract: Based on our identification of a polypeptide (Angiopep-7) that is efficiently transported to cells such as liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and muscle, the invention provides polypeptides, conjugates including the polypeptides, and methods for treating diseases associated with these cell types. Unlike other aprotinin related polypeptides identified herein (including Angiopep-3, Angiopep-4a Angiopep-4b Angiopep-5, and Angiopep-6) which efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), Angiopep-7 is not efficiently transported across the BBB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of multiple sclerosis, and to the use of erythropoietin for this purpose and for the manufacture of a medicament for the intermittent treatment and/or intermittent prophylaxis of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to coated digestive enzyme preparations and enzyme delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the preparations. This invention further relates to methods of preparation and use of the systems, pharmaceutical compositions and preparations to treat persons having ADD, ADHD, autism, cystic fibrosis and other behavioral and neurological disorders.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for targeted depletion or modulation of dendritic cells are provided. The compositions and methods can be used to promote healing of ischemia-related injury, including ischemia-reperfusion injury. Disclosed are a variety of dendritic cell-targeted toxins, bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) agonists, and dendritic cell-targeted transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-?1) antagonists, all useful in practicing methods of the invention. The inventive compositions and methods can be used in the treatment of various conditions including myocardial infarction, stroke, and critical limb ischemia.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of agents that bind the complement protein C5 in the treatment of diseases associated with inappropriate complement activation, and in particular in the treatment of peripheral nerve disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score achieved by mammals affected by multiple sclerosis, in which a substance effecting increased and/or prolonged activation and/or stimulation of the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor is administered to the mammal. In certain embodiments, the substance is administered in intervals which are interrupted by application-free periods of time in which said substance is not administered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the kinetics of action of a cholinergic neurotoxin as well as a method for determining the quantity of neurotoxin in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating the activity of phosphodiesterase 1B (PDE1B) in intracellular signaling pathways, including but not limited to, dopamine D1 intracellular signaling pathways. The invention also provides methods and compositions for modulating the activities of intracellular signaling molecules, including, but not limited to, DARPP-32 and GluR1 AMPA receptor, via modulation of PDE1B. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of screening for compounds that modulate PDE1B activity. The invention also provides methods of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of a disorder, including but not limited to a PDE1B-related disorder or a dopamine D1 receptor intracellular signaling pathway disorder, by administering a modulator of PDE1B, preferably, but not limited to, an inhibitor of PDE1B or an agent that decreases the production of PDE1B.

Abstract: An isolated homogeneous population of cells comprising a plurality of human ectodermal progenitor cells. Also provided are methods of generating and using the population of cells.