Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for promoting survival of or axon regeneration in neurons by increasing mitochondrial motility in the neuron. Also disclosed are methods to treat neuronal injury and disease and disorders characterized by neuronal injury. Agents that increase Armcx1 activity, such as Armcx1 polypeptide or vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding Armcx1 polypeptide, are proposed for use in the methods. Pharmaceutical composition comprising the agents, and methods for identifying additional agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the early diagnosis and prognosis of an inflammatory state of the brain, caused by neurological, neurodegenerative, and/or aging diseases. Said method is based on the qualitative- quantitative evaluation of microglia microvesicles in a subject's plasma.

Abstract: The described invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effect amount of a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is effective (1) to reduce tumor growth, migration, invasion or a combination and (2) improve subject survival relative to a control. The described invention also relates to a method of treating a subject with a tumor, the method comprising: (1) providing a pharmaceutical composition; and (2) administering the pharmaceutical composition, wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent which is effective to reduce tumor growth, migration, invasion or a combination. The method may further comprise preparing therapeutic agent and preparing the pharmaceutical composition. The therapeutic agents include but are not limited to Wnt5a derivative peptides or Wnt5a antagonists or Wnt5a blocking antibody. The tumor comprises a population of cancer stem cells.

Abstract: Provided are epithelial cell spheroids including spheroids that have apical membranes and cilia that face towards the interior core of the spheroid and spheroids that have apical membranes and cilia that face away from the interior core of the spheroid. Also provided methods of making and using such spheroids.

Abstract: The invention encompasses the discovery that Fc-containing polypeptides that include branched glycans and that are sialylated on the branched glycan (e.g., on an ? 1,3 and/or ? 1,6 arm in the Fc region's N-linked glycosylation site), with, e.g., a NeuA-? 2,6-Gal or NeuAc-? 2,3-Gal terminal linkage, are useful in treating neurodegeneration, e.g., in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. The present disclosure provides, in pert, methods for treating neurodegeneration or neurodegenerative diseases by administering compositions containing such Fc-containing polypeptides as well as methods for evaluating, identifying, and/or producing (e.g., manufacturing) such polypeptides for the treatment of neurodegeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a screening assay to produce compounds stabilizing the gamma-secretase enzyme substrate complex, thereby increasing gamma-secretase processivity while attenuating the release of longer A? peptides. More specifically, gamma-secretase stabilizing compounds increase thermostability of the enzyme/substrate complexes acting in the sequential ?-secretase processing of APP, to result in reduced amyloidogenic A? production, thereby preventing Alzheimer disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) fusion protein comprising from N-terminus to C-terminus: (i) a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) comprising VH and VL, wherein scFv binds to a tumor antigen, (ii) a transmembrane domain, (iii) a co-stimulatory domain of GITR intracellular domain, and (iv) an activating domain. In one embodiment, the tumor antigen is human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human mesothelin, or human CD19. CARs having GITR intracellular domain as a co-stimulatory domain have certain advantages over other traditional CAR co-stimulatory domains.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of viral vectors, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles having viral genomes encoding one or more antibodies or antibody fragments or antibody like polypeptides, for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to peptides and salts thereof that are useful as anti-inflammatory agents and to compositions containing such peptides and salts as active ingredients. Specifically exemplified herein are endomorphin-1 peptide (EM-1), analogs and salts thereof, and uses for modulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) production and/or substance P (SP) and for treatment of inflammation, particularly neurogenic inflammation.

Abstract: A method of preventing, alleviating or treating traumatic brain injury in an individual comprises administering to the individual a therapeutically effective and physiologically acceptable amount of an agent capable of reducing the amount of one or more aggregated forms of one or more peptides in the brain. An agent capable of reducing the amount of one or more aggregated forms of one or more peptides in the brain is suitable for use in preventing, alleviating or treating traumatic brain injury. A method for predication of the risk of an individual for complications after a traumatic brain injury comprises detecting one or more aggregated forms of one or more peptides prone to aggregate as a result of a traumatic brain injury event, in the brain of the individual, wherein an increased level of such aggregates in the brain indicates an increased risk for complications.

Abstract: Methods for expanding proliferating populations of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors and creating substantially pure populations of motor neurons are provided herein. In particular, the present invention provides methods for maintaining the unique gene profile and differentiation potential of neuronal subtype-specific progenitors, such as motor neuron progenitors and hindbrain serotonergic neural progenitors.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining whether a subject has a synucleinopathy. Methods are also disclosed for detecting misfolded alpha synuclein (?Syn) in a biological sample or fraction thereof. These methods include the use of an ?Syn seeding assay.

Abstract: Methods of treating, preventing, inhibiting, delaying the onset of, or ameliorating a neurological immunity disorder can include administering an effective amount of a compound comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment of an antibody to a subject in need of treatment, prevention, inhibition, delay of onset, or amelioration of a neurological immunity disorder. The antibody or the antigen binding fragment of an antibody binds specifically to CD49a.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting neurodegeneration in a subject suffering from or genetically at risk and/or destined to develop Huntington's Disease comprising increasing, in neurons of the subject, the activity of the TIM23 mitochondrial protein import complex.

Abstract: Antibody for human amyloid beta. Antibody selectively binds human amyloid beta 42 peptide over human amyloid beta 40 peptide. Antibodies specific for amyloid beta 42 as therapeutic agents for binding amyloid beta 42 peptide and treating conditions associated with amyloidosis, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Human pluripotent stem cells are differentiated in vitro into forebrain subdomain structures, which are then fused to generate an integrated system for use in analysis, screening programs, and the like.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and kits are for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases by detecting, targeting, and/or eliminating epitope-specific autoimmune cells. The compositions include a conjugate of an epitope and an agent that allows for detecting, targeting, and/or eliminating epitope-specific autoimmune cells.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to transthyretin (TTR). The antibodies can be used for treating or effecting prophylaxis of diseases or disorders associated with TTR accumulation or accumulation of TTR deposits (e.g., TTR amyloidosis). The antibodies can also be used for diagnosing TTR amyloidosis and inhibiting or reducing aggregation of TTR, among other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of treating a neurodegenerative disease in an individual. The methods disclose administration of an Integrin ?4?1, Very Late Antigen-4 positive neural precursor cell (“VLA4+ NPC”) transfected with a lentivirus overexpressing wild type GCase to an individual having a neurodegenerative disorder. The neurodegenerative disease may include lipid storage diseases, for example Gaucher disease, Parkinson's disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy bodies.

Abstract: The invention provides an infrared assay which allows the secondary structure analysis of alpha-synuclein from complex fluids like serum, blood plasma or cerebrospinal fluid without prior isolation, concentration or pretreatment. The secondary structure profile provides an indication of the proportion of alpha-synuclein in aggregated form and/or extent of aggregation of alpha-synuclein in aggregated form.