Abstract: Novel peptides and the quantitative methods for the determination thereof in body fluids of patients suffering from progredient chronic dementia, in relation to the concentration of said peptides in a control group. The peptides derive from a protein precursor having the corresponding gene, are processed in a specific manner, and are optionally post-translationally modified, especially phosphorylised. An increase in the concentrations of these peptides or the corresponding non-processed protein indicates progredient chronic dementia. Also disclosed are methods of using the peptides for controlling the course of progredient chronic dementia and for the prognosis of progredient chronic dementia, especially for complementing or replacing mini-mental scores, and for developing therapeutic agents to combat progredient chronic dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to defined peptides and the quantitative determination thereof in body fluids of patients suffering from progredient chronic dementia, in relation to the concentration of said peptides in a control group. The inventive peptides come from a protein precursor having the corresponding gene, are processed in a specific manner, and are optionally post-translationally modified, especially phosphorylized. An increase in the concentrations of these peptides or the corresponding non-processed protein indicates progredient chronic dementia. Progredient chronic dementia is detected by identifying the peptides and/or the protein individually or in combinations. The invention also relates to the use of said peptides for controlling the course of progredient chronic dementia and for the prognosis of progredient chronic dementia, especially for complementing or replacing mini-mental scores, and for developing therapeutic agents to combat progredient chronic dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to defined peptide and the quantiative determination thereof in the body fluids of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease in relation to the concentration thereof in a control group of patients who are healthy or suffer from other dementia diseases. The inventive peptides originate from the C3f fragment of the complement C3 protein precursor with the corresponding gene and are modified in a specific manner and are optionally post-translationally or chemically modified. Modification occurs with respect to the concentrations of said peptides in patients in a manner which is specific to each peptide when compared with the control group. A specific and significant modification of the concentration of said peptides in relation to the concentration thereof in healthy persons indicates a differentiation with respect to Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to the use of said peptides as a progress control, and in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents.