Abstract: Polyhydroxylated aromatic compounds, and compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of amyloidosis, especially Alzheimer's disease, and for the treatment of diseases characterized by &agr;-synuclein fibril formation, especially Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A composition of plant matter comprising Uncaria tomentosa and at least one of ginkgo biloba, rosemary, gotu kola and bacopin.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical agent for treating an amyloid disease in a patient, wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises a saccharide containing at least one substituted anionic group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the saccharide containing at least one substituted anionic group, and in preferred embodiments is a therapeutically effective amount of glucose pentasulfate. The agent is directed to amyloid diseases in general and to Alzheimer's disease in particular. The pharmaceutical agent may advantageously be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

Abstract: In vivo assays for selecting candidate therapeutics for inhibiting amyloidoses, such as congophilic and fibrillar .beta./A4 amyloid deposition in brain. A candidate reagent is administered to a first rat in a first infusate comprising .beta./A4 peptide and perlecan by continuous infusion into the hippocampus for at least one week. The candidate reagent is selected as a candidate therapeutic for inhibiting congophilic and fibrillar .beta./A4 amyloid deposition in brain if the first infusate diminishes congo red and thioflavin S staining indicative of amyloid deposition adjacent to the infusion site, as compared with a second rat receiving a second infusate consisting essentially of .beta./A4 peptide and perlecan.