Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a PEGylated IGF-I variant derived from the wild-type human IGF-I amino acid sequence where one or two of the lysine amino acids at positions 27, 65, and 68 are altered to be a polar amino acid other than lysine and where the PEG is attached to at least one lysine residue. The invention also relates to methods for the treatment, prevention and/or delay of progression of neuromuscular disorders, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a PEGylated IGF-I variant derived from the wild-type human IGF-I amino acid sequence where one or two of the lysine amino acids at positions 27, 65, and 68 are altered to be a polar amino acid other than lysine and where the PEG is attached to at least one lysine residue. The invention also relates to methods for the treatment, prevention and/or delay of progression of neuromuscular disorders, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a PEGylated IGF-I variant derived from the wild-type human IGF-I amino acid sequence where one or two of the lysine amino acids at positions 27, 65, and 68 are altered to be a polar amino acid other than lysine and where the PEG is attached to at least one lysine residue. The invention also relates to methods for the treatment, prevention and/or delay of progression of neuromuscular disorders, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a PEGylated IGF-I variant derived from the wild-type human IGF-I amino acid sequence where one or two of the lysine amino acids at positions 27, 65, and 68 are altered to be a polar amino acid other than lysine and where the PEG is attached to at least one lysine residue. The invention also relates to methods for the treatment, prevention and/or delay of progression of neuromuscular disorders, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying or testing active substances, which influence the growth and survival of nerve cells, wherein a cell is brought into contact with at least one substance and subsequently, within said cell, the mRNA of the ?-actin or the ?-actin protein alone or together with the SMN protein and/or a ribonucleic protein hnRNP, in particular the ribonucleic protein hnRNP-R and/or hnRNP-Q, are determined, and the determined amounts of said components are compared to the amounts of said components in a cell, which has not been brought into contact with the prospective active substance, to a test system for carrying-out said method and to uses of such test systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying pharmacologically active ingredients which influence the function of cells in the central nervous system. The inventive method comprises the following steps: a) a sample is brought into contact with at least one potential active ingredient, and b) the activity of Raf, especially B-Raf, in the sample is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and to the proteins, peptides, and derivatives produced therefrom. In various embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acid sequences, proteins, and peptides of the invention may be used in the treatment of a variety of neurological diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. In a specific embodiment of the invention, CNTF may be used to support the growth of spinal cord neurons, thereby providing a method of treating spinal cord damage caused by trauma infarction, infection, nutritional deficiency or toxic agents. The present invention also relates to a novel method for producing substantilly pure CNTF. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of CNTF gene products which may be used in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of neurologial diseases and disorders.