Abstract: Provided are methods for the detection of GDF11 in a subject having or suspected of having a mood and/or anxiety disorder, comprising providing a sample from a subject having or suspected of having a mood and/or anxiety disorder; contacting the sample with a GDF11-binding molecule; and detecting bound GDF11. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or characterizing a mood and/or anxiety disorder in a subject, comprising providing a sample from a subject; contacting the sample with a GDF11-binding molecule; detecting bound GDF11; and comparing the levels of detected bound GDF11 to healthy reference levels. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing a mood and/or anxiety disorder and/or accelerated aging in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an agent or composition which increases the levels of GDF11 polypeptide in the subject.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide antagonist in the treatment of inflammatory and immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, in particular sepsis, acute lung injury and rheumatoid arthritis as well as for the treatment or prophylaxis of brain disorders, preferably bipolar disorder, and in particular the different forms and/or subforms of bipolar disorder, such as mania, acute mania, severe mania, hypomania, depression, moderate depression, dysthymia, severe depression, episodes of mania and/or depression, psychosis/psychotic symptoms (e.g. hallucinations, delusions), mixed bipolar state, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and/or rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. In particular, specific nonapeptides with antagonist properties against bombesin or bombesin-like peptides, such as the gastrin releasing peptide, may be used in the treatment of inflammatory and immune-mediated inflammatory conditions as well as brain disorders.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide antagonist in the treatment of inflammatory and immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, in particular sepsis, acute lung injury and rheumatoid arthritis as well as for the treatment or prophylaxis of brain disorders, preferably bipolar disorder, and in particular the different forms and/or subforms of bipolar disorder, such as mania, acute mania, severe mania, hypomania, depression, moderate depression, dysthymia, severe depression, episodes of mania and/or depression, psychosis/psychotic symptoms (e.g. hallucinations, delusions), mixed bipolar state, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and/or rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. In particular, specific nonapeptides with antagonist properties against bombesin or bombesin-like peptides, such as the gastrin releasing peptide, may be used in the treatment of inflammatory and immune-mediated inflammatory conditions as well as brain disorders.