Abstract: The lack of blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrating ability has hindered the delivery of many therapeutic agents for tauopathy therapeutic treatment. A circular bifunctional aptamer reported here has been able to enhance the in vivo BBB penetration for improved therapy. The circular aptamer includes one transferrin receptor (TfR) aptamer to facilitate TfR-aptamer recognition-induced transcytosis across BBB endothelial cells, and one Tau protein aptamer selected to inhibit Tau phosphorylation and other tauopathy-related pathological events in the brain. This bispecific construct exhibits strong specificity towards Tau and enhanced plasma stability in comparison to linear Tau aptamer. In vivo administration of circular Tau-TfR aptamer results in a rapid uptake into relevant brain regions after crossing the BBB, such as hippocampus and cortex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a subject. The present invention also relates to methods of monitoring the progression of the TBI in a subject.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a neurological outcome of a patient post-cardiac arrest. The method includes obtaining, on a processor, first data that indicates values for two or more neurological biomarkers collected from the patient during a first time period following a cardiac arrest. The method also includes obtaining, on the processor, subsequent data that indicates values for the two or more neurological biomarkers collected at a subsequent time period after the first time period following the cardiac arrest. The method also includes determining, on the processor, third data that indicates a prediction of a neurological outcome of the patient during a treatment of the patient based on the first data and the subsequent data. A system is also provided for using a composite score that is formed with the combined use of the values for two or more biomarkers making a prediction of a neurological outcome of a patient post-cardiac arrest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a subject. The present invention also relates to methods of monitoring the progression of the TBI in a subject.

Abstract: The invention covers a novel series of .alpha.-mercaptoacrylic acid derivatives that inhibit both calpain I and calpain II with a high affinity and selectivity. The compounds are useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including cerebrovascular disorders, brain injury, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve injury, cardiac infarction, cataracts, inflammation, restenosis, muscular dystrophy, and platelet aggregation. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods of using processes for preparing and novel intermediates useful in the processes are also disclosed.