Abstract: As described herein, binding of the B7-1 protein with the neuronal cell surface p75 neurotrophin receptor protein triggers loss of synaptic connections. Methods and compositions are also described for treatment of neurological diseases and conditions (including pain) and for identifying therapeutic agents useful for treatment of neurological diseases and conditions (including pain).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining whether a patient suffering from a condition that is susceptible to treatment with a compound that activates the brain serotonin system is susceptible or resistant to treatment with the compound. The method includes establishing whether the patient is a pre-adult, a transition age patient, or an adult and observing whether the genome of the patient contains at least one copy of a BDNF allele having a genetic alteration. The method further includes correlating the presence of the allele containing the genetic alteration with susceptibility or resistance of the patient to the treatment with the compound, wherein a pre-adult patient containing the genetic alteration is correlated as being susceptible to the treatment; a transition age patient containing the genetic alteration is correlated as being susceptible or resistant to the treatment; and an adult patient containing the genetic alteration is correlated as being resistant to the treatment.

Abstract: This disclosure has identified a new ligand-receptor system, proNGF and p75NTR/SorCS2, which is found to be involved in the microvascular functions of the heart. This disclosure provides methods for limiting microvascular damage following acute myocardial ischemia based on administration of an antagonist of this newly identified system, thereby promoting myocardial recovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining whether a patient suffering from a condition that is susceptible to treatment with a compound that activates the brain serotonin system is susceptible or resistant to treatment with the compound. The method includes establishing whether the patient is a pre-adult, a transition age patient, or an adult and observing whether the genome of the patient contains at least one copy of a BDNF allele having a genetic alteration. The method further includes correlating the presence of the allele containing the genetic alteration with susceptibility or resistance of the patient to the treatment with the compound, wherein a pre-adult patient containing the genetic alteration is correlated as being susceptible to the treatment; a transition age patient containing the genetic alteration is correlated as being susceptible or resistant to the treatment; and an adult patient containing the genetic alteration is correlated as being resistant to the treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated protein comprising a pro-domain of a proneurotrophin, methods for producing the protein, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the isolated protein. The invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes the protein and a vector containing the nucleic acid molecule. The present invention further provides a method for cleaving a proneurotrophin protein to a mature neurotrophin. In addition, the invention relates to methods for inducing apoptosis in a cell of a mammal expressing p75 surface receptors or p75 and trk receptors. The methods include causing the p75 receptor to bind a pharmaceutical composition containing a pro-domain of a proneurotrophin or administering to the mammal an effective amount of a cleavage-resistant proneurotrophin and an inhibitor of trk activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing or inhibiting the angiogenic process and promoting vessel growth or stabilization in an organ by modulating the trk receptor pathway. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a pathological disorder in a patient which includes administering a trk receptor ligand or an inhibitor or expression or activity of a trk receptor ligand. The present invention also relates to a method of screening for a modulator of angiogenesis, vessel growth, or vessel stabilization. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of diagnosing or monitoring a pathological disorder in a patient which includes determining the presence or amount of a trk receptor ligand or activation of a trk receptor ligand in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which selectively or preferentially home to areas of a heart. The invention further relates to conjugates of the homing peptides and uses thereof.