Abstract: hPDP polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing hPDP polypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: Piperidine derivatives of the formula I and their physiologically acceptable salts in which X, Y, Z, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in claim 1 can be as excitatory amino acid antagonists for combating neurodegenerative disorders including cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, cerebral ischaemias, infarcts and psychosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the compound 5-[4-(4-fluorobenzyl) piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)oxazolidin-2-one of the formula I and to physiologically acceptable salts thereof. The compound acts as a neuroleptic.

Abstract: The invention relates to the compound 5-[4-(4-fluorobenzyl)piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)oxazolidin-2-one of the formula I 1

Abstract: The invention relates to quinoline-2-(1H)-one derivatives of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are in each case independently of one another H, Hal, A or OA; R.sup.4 is H, --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 ; R.sup.5 is H, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 ; R.sup.6 is H, A or, together with R.sup.7, --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 -- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --; R.sup.7 is H, A or --(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- with a bond to the same ring or adjacent ring B or D or, together with R.sup.6, --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 -- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --; X is --CHR.sup.5 --, --NR.sup.5 --, --O--, --S--; A is alkyl having 1-6 C atoms; Hal is F, Cl, Br or I; m is 1-3 and n is 0-3, where at least one of the two radicals R.sup.4 or R.sup.5 has the meaning --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, their enantiomers, stereoisomers, salts and solvates. Such compounds are useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A benzylpiperidine compound of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is H, Hal or nitro,R.sup.2 is a benzyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by Hal on the aromatic portion, in the 2-, 3- or 4-position of the piperidine ring, with the proviso that R.sup.2 is not in the 4-position if X is --CO--, Y and Z are --CH.sub.2 and R.sup.1 is H,R.sup.3 is H or A,X is --O--, --S--, --NH--, --CO-- or --SO.sub.2 --,Y is --CH.sub.2 --, --NH--, --O--, --S--, --NH-- or alternatively --CO-- if X is --CO-- and Z is --NH-- or --NA--,Z is --CH.sub.2 --, --C(A).sub.2-, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CO--, --NH--, --NA--, --O--, --S-- or a bond,wherein X--Y or Y--Z is not --O--, --S--S--, --NH--O--, --O--NH--, --NH--NH--, --O--S-- or --S--O,A is alkyl having 1-6 C atoms,B is O or both H and OH, i.e.

Abstract: Thienopyridone derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which B is CH or N, ##STR2## is ##STR3## R is H, ##STR4## R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 are in each case H, A or Hal, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are in each case H, A, OH, OA, Hal, CF.sub.3 , NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, NHA, N(A).sub.2 or NHAc,R.sup.6 is H or Hal,X is --CH.sub.2 --, --CO--, --O--, --NH--, --NA-- or --S--,A bis alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms,Ac is alkanoyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, or benzoyl andHal is F, Cl, Br or I,and their salts, exhibit a high affinity for binding sites of amino acid receptors and are therefore suitable for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as BDNF protein produced in quantity using these nucleic acid sequences, as well as fragments and derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to pharmacologic compositions and therapeutic uses of BDNF, having provided, for the first time, the means to generate sufficient quantities of substantially pure BDNF for clinical use. The invention also relates to antibodies directed toward BDNF or fragments thereof, having provided a method for generating sufficient immunogen. Further, by permitting a comparison of the nucleic acid sequences of BDNF and NGF, the present invention provides for the identification of homologous regions of nucleic acid sequence between BDNF and NGF, thereby defining a BDNF/NGF gene family; the invention provides a method for identifying and isolating additional members of this gene family.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as BDNF protein produced in quantity using these nucleic acid sequences, as well as fragments and derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to pharmacologic compositions and therapeutic uses of BDNF, having provided, for the first time, the means to generate sufficient quantities of substantially pure BDNF for clinical use. In a specific embodiment, BDNF may be used to promote the survival of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, thereby providing a method for treating, respectively, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to antibodies directed toward BDNF or fragments thereof, having provided a method for generating sufficient immunogen.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently of one another H or A,R.sup.3 is H, OA or O--C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1-n X.sub.n,R.sup.4 is --O--C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1-n X.sub.n,X is F or Cl,A is alkyl having 1-6 C atoms,m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 andn is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, and their salts have positive ionitropic activity and vasodilating action, and promote circulation. In addition, the compounds can be employed for the treatment of asthmatic disease and memory disorders, and have anti-depressive and anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as BDNF protein produced in quantity using these nucleic acid sequences, as well as fragments and derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to pharmacologic compositions and therapeutic uses of BDNF, having provided, for the first time, the means to generate sufficient quantities of substantially pure BDNF for clinical use. In a specific embodiment, BDNF may be used to promote the survival of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, thereby providing a method for treating, respectively, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to antibodies directed toward BDNF or fragments thereof, having provided a method for generating sufficient immunogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as BDNF protein produced in quantity using these nucleic acid sequences, as well as fragments and derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to pharmacologic compositions and therapeutic uses of BDNF, having provided, for the first time, the ability to generate sufficient quantities of substantially pure BDNF for clinical use. The invention also relates to antibodies directed toward BDNF or fragments thereof, having provided a method for generating sufficient immunogen. Further, by permitting a comparison of the nucleic acid sequences of BDNF and NGF, the present invention provides for the identification of homologous regions of nucleic acid sequence between BDNF and NGF, thereby defining a BDNF/NGF gene family; the invention provides a method for identifying an disolating additional members of this gene family.