Abstract: A method of treating an amyloid disease, or a disease characterized by ?-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis, in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a various disclosed proanthocyanidins or a proanthocyanidin characterized by disclosed general formulae. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a proanthocyanidin and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The therapeutic amount of the proanthocyanidin is selected for efficacy in treating amyloid, ?-synuclein or NAC fibrillogenesis in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A? amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, AA/SAA amyloidosis, such as observed in systemic AA amyloidosis and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: Use of a peptide or pharmaceutical composition comprising Leu-Ala-Phe-Val-Leu-Arg-Lys-amide having at least one D amino acid for the reduction of beta-amyloid protein, modulating APP processing, modulating activity of APP secretases, treatment of beta-amyloid protein diseases and the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Dihydroxyaryl compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of IAPP or amylin fibril diseases, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: The identification of novel Syndecan-2 splice variants and their use in the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer's disease and other amyloid diseases. In addition the use of new animal models expressing or devoid of syndecan-2 splice variants to effectively screen and identify potential therapeutic compounds for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A? amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A? amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, use in the reduction of A? peptide in vivo, use in modulating APP processing, and use in modulating the activity of APP secretase.

Abstract: A method of producing antibodies comprising the step of encoding a peptide sequence from a Domain I perlecan splice variant, wherein the peptide sequence is used to produce anti-peptide antibodies.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A? amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially A? amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide consisting of Arg-Val-Ala-Val-Ile-Met-Gly-amide-having at least one D-amino acid.

Abstract: A method of treating an amyloid disease in a patient or inhibiting the formation, deposition, accumulation, or persistence, of amyloid fibrils, amylin fibrils, or islet amyloid fibrils, and/or dissolving or disrupting pre-formed or pre-deposited amyloid fibrils in type II diabetes in a mammalian subject. In the method a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter form the genus Uncaria, species Tomentosa is administered, preferably from the inner bark or root tissue of Uncaria Tomentosa.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide Leu-Ala-Phe-Val-Leu-Arg-Lys-amide having at least one D-amino acid.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical agent for treating an amyloid disease in a patient, wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises glucose pentasulfate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The agent is directed to amyloid diseases in general and to type II diabetes in particular. Methods of treating an amyloid disease in a patient by administering therapeutically effective amounts of glucose pentasulfate are also presented.

Abstract: A method of producing antibodies comprising the step of encoding a peptide sequence from a Domain I perlecan splice variant, wherein the peptide sequence is used to produce anti-peptide antibodies.

Abstract: Laminin and specific laminin-derived protein fragments are disclosed as potent inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease type amyloidoses. A specific region is identified within laminin which interacts with the Alzheimer's disease beta-amyloid protein and contributes to the observed inhibitory and therapeutic effects. A prominent ˜130 kilodalton band in laminin was found in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid which primarily interacted with A? as determined by ligand blotting methodology. This ˜130 kilodalton laminin fragment is known as the E8 fragment and is also believed to consist of the globular domains of the laminin A chain. The interaction of specific laminin fragments such as the newly discovered ˜130 kDa protein is believed to bind A? in biological fluids and keep it in a soluble state.

Abstract: Assay-guided affinity fractionation and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology to isolate, test and characterize the most active water-soluble ingredients within Cat's Claw, or Uncaria tomentos. These components appear to account for the majority of the amyloid or A? fibrillogenesis inhibitory activity. Individual fractions and/or compounds as isolated by HPLC are tested in relevant in vitro and/or animal models, and found to consistently demonstrate inhibition of amyloid or A? fibrillogenesis. Related extraction methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a transgenic non-human animal expressing a perlecan encoding transgene. Also provided is a double-transgenic non-human animal expressing a perlecan and an amyloid encoding transgene. A method of screening for a compound which alters the rate or extent of amyloid deposition is additionally provided. The method consists of: (a) constructing a perlecan transgenic animal; (b) administering an effective amount of a test compound to said perlecan transgenic animal; and (c) determining whether said test compound alters the extent or rate of amyloid deposition. Finally, the invention provides a method of screening for a compound which alters the rate or extent of amyloid deposition. The method consists of: (a) constructing a perlecan/amyloid double-transgenic animal; (b) administering an effective amount of a test compound to said perlecan/amyloid double-transgenic animal; and (c) determining whether said test compound alters the extent o rate of amyloid deposition.

Abstract: Assay-guided affinity fractionation and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology to isolate, test and characterize the most active water-soluble ingredients within Cat's Claw, or Uncaria tomentos. These components appear to account for the majority of the amyloid or A? fibrillogenesis inhibitory activity. Individual fractions and/or compounds as isolated by HPLC are tested in relevant in vitro and/or animal models, and found to consistently demonstrate inhibition of amyloid or A? fibrillogenesis. Related extraction methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, or pharmaceutical agent for treating A? amyloidosis in a patient that has at least one laminin-derived peptide or fragment thereof from the group D-A13, D-HA3G76, D-A4G82, D-A5G81, D-A5G101, D-HA3G47, D-HA3G58, D-HA3G74, D-HA3G83, D-A5G82, D-R-AG73, D-R-A13, D-R-HA3G76, D-R-A4G82, and D-R-A5G81.