Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that turnover of DISC1 (Disrupted in schizophrenia 1) is mediated by the F-box-containing protein FBXW7 (F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7). The sequence within DISC1 that binds to FBXW7 and targets DISC1 for turnover by the ubiquitin-proteasome system is identified. The invention provides antagonists that inhibit this interaction and methods of using these antagonists to decrease DISC1 turnover, for example in treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as methods of identifying new antagonists.

Abstract: A method for forming neuromuscular junctions includes forming functional neuromuscular junctions between motoneurons and muscle cells by co-culturing one or more human motoneurons and one or more rat muscle cells in a substantially serum-free medium. A synthetic mammalian neuromuscular junction includes a human motoneuron functionally linked to a rat muscle cell in a substantially serum-free medium. An artificial substrate may be used to support the one or more neuromuscular junctions.

Abstract: This invention relates to antibodies, including specified portions or variants, specific for at least the human Amyloid-beta_11 N-terminal site, i.e. A?11-x peptides. It further provides methods of making and using said antibodies, including therapeutic formulations, administration and devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preserving ocular cells in a patient having or at risk of developing glaucoma. In particular, microglial cell activation can be decreased, oligodendrocyte loss can be reduced, and/or the viability of retinal ganglion cells can be preserved by administering a selective TNFR2 antagonist to an individual having or at risk of developing glaucoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, methods for the manufacture of plasma-derived immunoglobulin G compositions highly enriched for anti-brain disease related protein antibodies (e.g., anti-A?, anti-RAGE, and anti-?-synuclein antibodies). Advantageously, the methods provided do not affect the manufacturing processes or capabilities for producing plasma-derived IgG therapeutics. Plasma-derived IgG compositions that are highly enriched for anti-brain disease related protein antibodies (e.g., anti-A?, anti-RAGE, and anti-?-synuclein antibodies), as also provided here. Methods for the treatment of brain diseases and disorders by administration of plasma-derived IgG compositions highly enriched for anti-brain disease related protein antibodies (e.g., anti-A?, anti-RAGE, and anti-?-synuclein antibodies), are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides prognostic methods for evaluating the severity of NMO and NMO-associated diseases as well as methods of treating NMO and NMO-associated diseases.

Abstract: The described invention provides compositions comprising at least one peptide of formula I for enhancing neurite outgrowth, neuroprotection, and nerve regeneration, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The application identifies novel fragments of alpha-synuclein in patients with Lewy Body Disease (LBD) and transgenic animal models thereof. These diseases are characterized by aggregations of alpha-synuclein. The fragments have a truncated C-terminus relative to full-length alpha-synuclein. Some fragments are characterized by a molecular weight of about 12 kDa as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis in tricine buffer and a truncation of at least ten contiguous amino acids from the C-terminus of natural alpha-synuclein. The site of cleavage preferably occurs after residue 117 and before residue 126 of natural alpha-synuclein. The identification of these novel fragments of alpha-synuclein has a number of application in for example, drug discovery, diagnostics, therapeutics, and transgenic animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a p75NTR neurotrophin binding protein(NBP)-Fc fusion protein comprising a p75NTR(NBP) portion and an immunoglobulin portion. In certain embodiments, the p75NTR(NBP)-Fc fusion protein is for use in the treatment of pain and/or a symptom of pain.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease, by inhibition of the synthesis of ?APP or of the activity of the A? peptide in the choroid plexus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition including a poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and polylactic-co-glycolic-acid (PLGA) scaffold on which neuronal tissue is grown ex-vivo. Furthermore, the invention provides a method for making ex-vivo cellular vasculature networks, and a method for treating a neuronal injury in a subject by implanting the current composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of RNA removal to initiate protein aggregation of a plurality of proteins in a cell or cell lysate. This may be used to create an in vitro model of a disease, such as a neurodegenerative disease. The present invention also provides a method for determining the efficacy of a potential anti-protein aggregation agent comprising the following steps: i) using RNA removal to initiate the aggregation of a protein in a cell or cell lysate, ii) treating the cell or cell lysate with the potential anti-protein aggregation agent before, after or during RNA removal; and iii) comparing protein aggregation in equivalent samples with and without step ii) treatment in which a decrease in protein aggregation associated with step ii) treatment indicates that the potential anti-protein aggregation agent is effective in preventing and/or reversing protein aggregation.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide having nestin expression inducing ability which allows induction of expression of nestin in astrocytes; an agent for inducing nestin expression including the peptide as an active ingredient; and a method for producing high nestin expressing cells derived from astrocytes, the method being characterized in that the agent for inducing nestin expression is supplied. The agent for inducing nestin expression provided by the present invention includes, as an active ingredient, a synthetic peptide including a nestin-inducing peptide sequence consisting of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence formed by conservative replacement of 1, 2 or 3 amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence. The method for producing high nestin expressing cells derived from astrocytes provided by the present invention includes preparing an astrocyte culture, and supplying, at least once, the agent for inducing nestin expression to the astrocyte culture.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a non-invasive optical imaging method for monitoring early pathological events specific to Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as the development, amount and location of amyloid plaques. The ability to monitor such events provides a basis for, among other things, AD diagnosis, prognosis and assessment of potential therapies. In addition, the present subject matter introduces novel methods for treating AD and retinal ailments associated with AD. A?-plaque detection in living brains is extremely limited, especially at high resolution; therefore the present invention is based on studies focusing on the eyes as an alternative to brain-derived tissue that can be imaged directly, repetitively and non-invasively.

Abstract: A method to prevent, inhibit or treat one or more symptoms associated with a disease of the central nervous system by intrathecally, intracerebroventricularly or endovascularly administering a rAAV encoding a gene product associated with the disease, e.g., a mammal in which the gene product is absent or present at a reduced level relative to a mammal without the disease.

Abstract: Improved chemodenervation agents are provided comprising polypeptide ?-neurotoxins having high binding specificity and selectivity for the human muscular ?1 nAChR instead of the human neuronal ?7 nAChR, along with pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use.

Abstract: A method for treating, preventing and/or reducing neurodegeneration in subjects with neurodegenerative disease, such as those neurodegenerative diseases that affect the eye, including glaucoma, using radiation, such as gamma radiation or X-ray radiation, either alone or together with a bone marrow transfer treatment. The method includes irradiating a targeted area of an animal, such as the eye region, with radiation, either alone or followed by injection with T-cell depleted bone marrow cells. Also a method for screening and/or selecting agents and/or treatment methods for inhibiting, treating and/or reducing neurodegeneration, particularly the neurodegeneration of the eye that occurs as a consequence of glaucoma.

Abstract: A patient advisory device (“PAD”) and its methods of use. The PAD may be configured to alert the patient about an estimated brain state of the patient. In preferred embodiments, the PAD is adapted to alert the patient of the patient's brain state, which corresponds to the patient's propensity of transitioning into an ictal brain state, e.g., having a seizure. Based on the specific type of alert, the patient will be made aware whether they are highly unlikely to have a seizure for a given period of time, an elevated propensity of having a seizure, a seizure is occurring or imminent, or the patient's brain state is unknown.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disk includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disk. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disk, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

Abstract: The application relates to markers for seizures and epilepsy. Polypeptide expression panels or arrays are provided, comprising one or more probes capable of binding specific polypeptides in blood plasma or blood serum of a mammalian subject. Also provided are methods for detecting seizure, methods for predicting seizure, use of sICAM-5 in the treatment of seizure, methods for assessing the effectiveness of a treatment of seizure, and diagnostic kits.