Abstract: A method of treating atherosclerosis, dyslipidemias and related conditions is disclosed wherein a therapeutic dose of nicotinic acid, approximately 1 gram, is administered to the patient once daily as a starting dose, and the dose is thereafter raised within a few days or weeks to 2 grams for the duration of therapy. The nicotinic acid may be administered in combination with a selective DP receptor antagonist. The selective DP receptor antagonist is administered to reduce, prevent or eliminate flushing that may otherwise occur.

Abstract: A method of treating atherosclerosis is disclosed wherein nicotinic acid or another nicotinic acid receptor agonist is administered to the patient in combination with a DP receptor antagonist. The DP receptor antagonist is administered to reduce, prevent or eliminate flushing that may otherwise occur.

Abstract: A method of treating pathological blushing is disclosed wherein the patient is administered a DP receptor antagonist. Compositions containing DP antagonists are also included.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated, animal nucleic acid molecule encoding the Brain Factor-1, Brain Factor-2 and Brain Factor-3. This invention also provides expression vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules, host vector systems containing the vectors and a method of producing the Brain factor comprising growing the host vector system under suitable conditions. This invention also provides a DNA vector which comprises the 5' nontranscribed region of the Brain Factor-1 gene, 3' nontranscribed region of the Brain Factor-1 gene and a gene of interest, linked operably.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated, purified transcription factor expressed in the telencephalic region of the brain of a developing animal or in structures derived therefrom. Also provided is a nucleic acid molecule, e.g., an RNA or a DNA molecule encoding the transcription factor of this invention. Further provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising the transcription factor and a method of correcting an animal's defective synthesis of the transcription factor which comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition. Still further provided are an expression vector containing this nucleic acid molecule, a host vector system containing the vector and a method of producing the transcription factor comprising growing the host vector system under suitable conditions.This invention provides methods of diagnosing the overexpression of the transcription factor in tissue in which it is normally expressed and of detecting the presence of the factor in tissue.