Abstract: A method of reducing aluminum concentrations in the central nervous system of a subject (e.g., a patient afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease) comprises administering to subject a PYY receptor agonist in an amount effective to reduce aluminum concentrations, levels or amounts in the central nervous system of the subject. Compositions useful for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for administering Peptide YY (PYY) receptor agonists to birds in ovo to promote altricial development of the intestinal tract of neonatal birds. Enhanced altricial development of the small intestine in hatchling birds results in an increased absorption of nutrients from the small intestine without a concomitant increase in energy expenditure, thereby resulting in an improved efficiency of nutrient utilization, enhanced rate of post-hatch growth, and reduced post-hatch mortality rate in PYY-treated birds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating NIDDM in a patient diagnosed with NIDDM by administering to the patient a compound in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that reduces hepatic glucose production in the patient by inhibiting hepatic expression of the alpha subunit of a G.sub.s protein in a liver cell plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting stimulation of cAMP by glucagon, whereby the reduction in hepatic glucose production treats the NIDDM. Also provided is a method for screening compounds for the ability to treat NIDDM comprising determining if the compound decreases hepatic expression of the alpha subunit of a G.sub.s protein in a liver cell plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting the stimulation of cAMP by glucagon, a compound which decreases the hepatic expression of the alpha subunit of the G.sub.s protein in the liver cell plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting the stimulation of cAMP by glucagon, being a compound with the ability to treat NIDDM.