Abstract: Neuroprotective compounds for treating optic neuropathies and screening methods for identifying neuroprotective compounds.

Abstract: A method for treating a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with bone marrow stem cells and a G-CSF receptor agonist.

Abstract: Eph A receptor inhibitor peptides, and particularly Eph A4 receptor inhibitor peptides, are provided. The peptides comprise a sequence derived from the G-H loop of ephrin A4. Further, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said peptides and use thereof in treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases associated with memory formation are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to cell-based therapies for treatment of visual disorders, including disorders of the cornea. Methods are exemplified for directed differentiation of corneal cells from stem cells. Compositions of corneal endothelial cells and uses thereof are also provided. Exemplary compositions exhibit improved cell density and/or more “youthful” gene expression relative to cells obtained from donated tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of inducing neuronal outgrowth of a neuron. The methods comprise contacting the neuron with an agent that binds receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase ? (RPTP?), to thereby induce neuronal outgrowth of the neuron. The agent may induces clustering of RPTP? and/or inhibit binding of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) to RPTP?. Examples of suitable agents are heparan sulfate proteoglycan, heparan sulfate, heparan sulfate oligosaccharides, or heparin oligosaccharides. Additional agents are also disclosed. The neuron can be a CNS neuron or peripheral neuron. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating neuronal injury in a subject comprising, administering to the subject an agent that binds RPTP?. Administration may be to a site of neuronal injury, to thereby induce neuronal outgrowth at the site of neuronal injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modulating SET activity by contacting SET with a binding agent such as an ApoE peptide derivative. In one embodiment of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition capable of modulating SET activity is administered to a patient for the treatment of an inflammatory or neurological condition. In another embodiment of the invention, compounds efficacious for the treatment of inflammatory and neurological conditions are identified by screening for a binding agent capable of competing with or inhibiting the binding of an ApoE derivative to SET.

Abstract: A system for controlling a body part includes a number of sensing devices that sense signals from a hemisphere of a brain. A signal translating unit translates the signals into a command signal for controlling the body part, which is on a same side of the body as the hemisphere of the brain. A prosthetic device receives the command signal from the signal translating unit and manipulates the body part in response to the command signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one compound comprising the amino acid sequence (Formula?1) (SEQ?ID?NO:?57) (X1)nX2X3PVX4X5X6(X7)m, wherein X1 is any amino acid residue, X2 is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid (D) and glutamic acid (E), X3 is any amino acid residue, X4 is any amino acid residue, X5 is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of proline (P) and alanine (A), X6 is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid (D) and glutamic acid (E), X7 is any amino acid residue, n and m, independently, are 0 or an integer of more than 0, and wherein the amino acid sequence according to Formula I is not identical with, or does not comprise the 8-mer polypeptide fragment of alpha-synuclein having the amino acid sequence DMPVDPDN (SEQ ID NO: 1), said compound having a binding capacity to an antibody which is specific for an epitope of alpha-synuclein comprising the amino acid sequen

Abstract: A conjugate consisting of an insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) variant and one or two poly(ethylene glycol) group(s), characterized in that said IGF-I variant has an amino acid alteration at up to three amino acid positions 27, 37, 65, 68 of the wild-type IGF-I amino acid sequence so that one or two of said amino acids is/are lysine and amino acid 27 is a polar amino acid but not lysine, is conjugated via the primary amino group(s) of said lysine(s) and said poly(ethylene glycol) group(s) have an overall molecular weight of from 20 to 100 kDa is disclosed. This conjugate is useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: Provided herein is an endothelial scaffold comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of decellularized corneal stroma. In some embodiments, the scaffold has cultured endothelial cells seeded thereon. Methods of treating a patient in need of corneal endothelial transplant are also provided, including implanting the scaffold as described herein onto a cornea of the patient (e.g., by deep keratectomy).

Abstract: The invention provides monomeric and oligomeric amyloid beta peptide isomers that are resistant towards fibrillogenesis and their use as screening reagents or antigens in methods and pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions related to protein misfolding. The alanines at positions 21 and 30, in wild type amyloid beta peptide amino acid sequence, are according to the invention replaced by cysteins, which results in an intra molecular disulphide bond. The invention further provides transgenic animals expressing modified amyloid precursor proteins or amyloid beta peptides.

Abstract: Protein indicators useful for calcium imaging, in particular, red genetically-encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) disclosed herein rival best-of-class green GECIs in terms of sensitivity for detecting neural activity, and can be monitored in vivo. The presently-disclosed subject matter further includes a method of monitoring cell activity comprising stimulating a cell comprising a red GECI polypeptide; and detecting fluorescence emitted by the cell.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods involving the use of muscle derived cells (MDCs), preferably obtained from skeletal muscle, to support the innervation and repair of damaged tissues and organs, particularly associated with nerve damage or neuropathy. The invention relates to MDCs for use in methods for promoting or enhancing innervation of nerve cells, particularly in the peripheral nervous system, and their ability to contribute to the development of neuronal tissue when MDCs are introduced at or near a tissue or organ site in need of repair due to injury, damage, disease, or dysfunction. Such methods are useful for the treatment of central and peripheral nervous system disorders and to alleviate, abate, or eliminate the symptoms of neurologic or neurodegenerative diseases in animals, particularly mammals, including humans. The methods are also useful for treating both nerve and muscle tissue following injury, damage, or dysfunction to these tissue types.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound selected in the group comprising (i) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected in the group comprising the amino acid sequence of the long isoform in Homo sapiens of the RdCVF2 gene (SEQ ID NO:10), orthologs, derivatives and fragments thereof, (ii) a polynucleotide coding for said polypeptide, (iii) a vector comprising said polynucleotide, and (iv) a host cell genetically engineered expressing said polypeptide; the use of such a composition for the manufacture of a medicament for treating and/or preventing a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject; and a method of testing a subject thought to have or be predisposed to having a neurodegenerative disorder.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor system comprises an electrochemical sensor and a hydrogel composition. The electrochemical sensor has at least a counter electrode and a working electrode. The hydrogel composition contacts the working electrode. The hydrogel composition comprises a first monomer, a second monomer, a cross-linking agent, and a solvent. The first monomer has hydrophilic characteristics. The second monomer has hydrophobic characteristics. The ratio of the first monomer to the second monomer is from about 0.1:99.9 to about 99.9:0.1.

Abstract: Embodiments of neural interfaces according to the present invention comprise sensor modules for sensing environmental attributes beyond the natural sensory capability of a subject, and communicating the attributes wirelessly to an external (ex-vivo) portable module attached to the subject. The ex-vivo module encodes and communicates the attributes via a transcutaneous inductively coupled link to an internal (in-vivo) module implanted within the subject. The in-vivo module converts the attribute information into electrical neural stimuli that are delivered to a peripheral nerve bundle within the subject, via an implanted electrode. Methods and apparatus according to the invention incorporate implantable batteries to power the in-vivo module allowing for transcutaneous bidirectional communication of low voltage (e.g. on the order of 5 volts) encoded signals as stimuli commands and neural responses, in a robust, low-error rate, communication channel with minimal effects to the subjects' skin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides neuromodulators, nucleic acid encoding thereof, and compositions thereof for endowing visual processing abilities to neuronal cells. The present disclosure further provides a method of restoring light sensitivity to degenerate retinas.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening a compound that can increase spine/excitatory synapse formation and/or numbers. The compound is identified by contacting Ephexin5 with a test compound and selecting the compounds that inhibit Rho GEF activity of Ephexin5. Additionally, the invention also provides methods for increasing spine/excitatory synapse formation and/or numbers by contacting a neuron with an Ephexin5 inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with neurofibrillary tangles, in particular, the invention relates to antibodies, which specifically recognize and bind to phosphorylated pathological protein tau-conformers and to methods and compositions involving said antibodies for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of tauopathies including Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to human tau aggregate, compositions comprising such tau antibodies, and methods of using such tau antibodies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Pick's disease.