Abstract: A dual-balloon cardiac pump comprises a flexible catheter tube in pneumatic communication with inflatable ventricular and aortic balloons, which are inflated and deflated in accordance with a programmed sequence of pressurized inert gas into the catheter tube as regulated by a control unit. The programmed sequence rapidly inflates and deflates the ventricular balloon after left ventricular contraction is completed. The programmed sequence inflates the aortic balloon after the aortic valve closes and deflates it just before the next systolic cycle begins.

Abstract: The invention provides oligonucleotides that inhibit the expression of .beta./A4 peptide of Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome, and further provides methods for reversing morphological changes caused in neuronal cells by .beta./A4 peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vitro method of screening for drugs, potentially useful for treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The method involves contacting a drug with a host transformed with a DNA construct which contains at least the DNA coding for human A4-amyloid peptide and overexpresses the peptide and then detecting the prevention of production or increased degradation of the A4-peptide due to the drug.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to a 28-mer peptide present within A4-amyloid are described. These antibodies exhibit unexpected specificity for amyloid plaque structures previously unrecognized in Alzheimer's disease brains. These monoclonal antibodies are useful as reagents for use in assays and imaging of A4-amyloid in Alzheimer's disease patients.