Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).

Abstract: Use of GABA-receptor agonists, either alone or with one or more positive PAMs, anti-inflammatory compounds, and/or antiviral treatments, e.g., one that limits viral replication or impacts other viral functions, to ameliorate, treat, and/or prevent illness arising from infections, including bacterial, fungal, and/or viral infections, inpatients, including to: ameliorate infection-related medical conditions; ameliorate and/or prevent coronavirus-related medical conditions; inhibit viral replication; inhibit corona virus replication; ameliorate and/or treat coronavirus-induced medical conditions; ameliorate and/or prevent respiratory virus-related medical conditions; and ameliorate and/or modulate dysregulated immune responses.

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods of promoting the replication, and/or survival, and/or function of beta cells in mammal are provided where the methods comprise administering to a mammal a GABA receptor activating ligand in conjunction with a GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) where the GABA receptor activating ligand is used at a lower dosage than would be used to achieve the same effect on beta cell replication, and/or survival, and/or function when used alone and/or said positive allosteric modulator is used at a subtherapeutic dosage.

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides useful in ameliorating GAD-associated autoimmune disease as well as diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the peptides are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition effective for a neurological disease or an autoimmune disease and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating neural outgrowth, including treating neural damage, via the major histocompatibility complex I (“MHC I”) molecule. Methods for identifying agents that reduce MHC I-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Methods for promoting neural outgrowth comprising administering MHC I molecules (native, recombinant, or those encoded by gene fusion) or biologically-active fragments thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising vectors comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding MHC I in operable linkage with a promoter and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent. Small interfering RNA (“siRNA”) that down-regulates expression of an MHC I gene.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating neural damage caused by injury or disease, by enhancing neural outgrowth and/or repair responses in the nervous system. Preferably, the methods and compositions utilize agents which interfere with the ability of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I molecule (MHC I) to inhibit neurite outgrowth. Such agents include antibodies directed to MHC I, MHC I fragments and/or analogs, and agents which interfere with MHC I interaction with its neuronal receptor and the receptor's signaling pathway.

Abstract: The invention provides cDNA molecules comprising a part of the cDNA sequence of GAD65 which encode at least one epitope for autoantibodies to GAD65. The invention also provides cloning vehicles capable of replication and expression comprising cDNA molecules coding for GAD65. The invention further provides for hosts transformed with a vehicle having a cDNA molecule coding for GAD65. In another embodiment, the invention provides for the detection of autoantibodies to GAD65 using the GAD65 polypeptides coded for by the cDNA molecules of the invention.

Abstract: cDNA molecules coding for GAD65 polypeptide are disclosed. The invention provides cDNA molecules comprising a part of the cDNA sequence of GAD65 which encode at least one epitope for autoantibodies to GAD65. The invention also provides cloning vehicles capable of replication and expression comprising cDNA molecules coding for GAD65. The invention further provides for hosts transformed with a vehicle having a cDNA molecule coding for GAD65. In another embodiment, the invention provides for the detection of autoantibodies to GAD65 using the GAD65 polypeptides coded for by the cDNA molecules of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating neural damage caused by injury or disease, by enhancing neural outgrowth and/or repair responses in the nervous system. Preferably, the methods and compositions utilize agents which interfere with the ability of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I molecule (MHC I) to inhibit neurite outgrowth. Such agents include antibodies directed to MHC I, MHC I fragments and/or analogs, and agents which interfere with MHC I interaction with its neuronal receptor and the receptor's signaling pathway.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the status of an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-associated autoimmune response in a mammal are provided. Specifically, the ratio of the frequency of T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells specific for a pancreatic &bgr;-cell associated antigen is indicative of the status of the autoimmune response. The methods may be employed prior to the onset of the clinical symptoms of the disease, thereby allowing identification of those at risk for developing clinical symptoms of IDDM, or subsequent to pancreatic tissue transplantation, for example, to measure the efficacy of treatment directed to enhancing the lifetime of the tissue transplant. Methods for prolonging the survival of tissue transplants are also provided. Specifically, a tissue-associated antigen is administered to the mammal which serves to shift the pathogenic Th1 response associated with pathological immunity toward a protective Th2 response.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides useful in ameliorating GAD-associated autoimmune disease as well as diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the peptides are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods for modulating immune responses. The methods are based on the discovery that GABAA receptors are present on peripheral lymphocytes. Thus, GABA agonists and antagonists can be used to modulate immune responses.

Abstract: The invention provides cDNA molecules comprising a part of the cDNA sequence of GAD65 which encode at least one epitope for autoantibodies to GAD65. The invention also provides cloning vehicles capable of replication and expression comprising cDNA molecules coding for GAD65. The invention further provides for hosts transformed with a vehicle having a cDNA molecule coding for GAD65. In another embodiment, the invention provides for the detection of autoantibodies to GAD65 using the GAD65 polypeptides coded for by the cDNA molecules of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the status of an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-associated autoimmune response in a mammal are provided. Specifically, the ratio of the frequency of T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells specific for a pancreatic &bgr;-cell associated antigen is indicative of the status of the autoimmune response. The methods may be employed prior to the onset of the clinical symptoms of the disease, thereby allowing identification of those at risk for developing clinical symptoms of IDDM, or subsequent to pancreatic tissue transplantation, for example, to measure the efficacy of treatment directed to enhancing the lifetime of the tissue transplant. Methods for prolonging the survival of tissue transplants are also provided. Specifically, a tissue-associated antigen is administered to the mammal which serves to shift the pathogenic Th1 response associated with pathological immunity toward a protective Th2 response.