Abstract: A substance that can be a substitute for amylospheroids (ASPD) and a method for analyzing ASPD are provided. Viewed from one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a substance in which amyloid-? protein (A?) is cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that has a spacer arm length of between 4 ? and 50 ? inclusive or a cross-linking agent that has, as a spacer arm, not less than 1 and not more than 13 groups that are an oxyethylene group(s) (—CH2CH2O—) and/or an oxypropylene group(s) (—CH2CH2CH3O—). Viewed from another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for analyzing ASPD using the substance as a reference material.

Abstract: Provided are a cell secreted-type amylospheroids-like structure, a drug and vaccine using the same, as well as a method of producing the same. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a production method including a step of culturing, in a culture medium, cells that express an amyloid precursor protein (APP) or a part thereof containing an amyloid beta-protein (Aß) sequence to obtain a cell secreted-type amylospheroids (ASPD)-like structure in said culture medium.

Abstract: Provided is a peptide having an ability to inhibit binding between amylospheroids (ASPD) and neurons. In one aspect, provided is a synthesized, isolated, or purified polypeptide represented by Formula (I) or (II) below: X1X2X3X4 (I), where X1 is R, H, or K, X2 is R, K, D, H, W, Q, Y, or T, X3 is any amino acid, and X4 is W, F, or Y; and X1X2X3X4 (II), where X1 is R, H, or K, X2 is any amino acid, X3 is L, G, I, W, R, M, D, E, A, V, or K, and X4 is W, F, or Y.

Abstract: In one or a plurality of embodiments, there is provided a target molecule of amylospheroid, which is expressed in mature neurons and to which the amylospheroid binds to induce death of cells. Further, in one or a plurality of embodiments, there is provided a method and a substance for inhibiting death of mature neurons induced by the amylospheroid. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a use of Na?/K+?ATPase ?3 as a binding target molecule of amylospheroid. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for suppressing death of mature neurons induced by the amylospheroid, including inhibiting protein-protein interaction between the amylospheroid and the Na+/K+?ATPase ?3, and the like.

Abstract: In one or a plurality of embodiments, there is provided a target molecule of amylospheroid, which is expressed in mature neurons and to which the amylospheroid binds to induce death of cells. Further, in one or a plurality of embodiments, there is provided a method and a substance for inhibiting death of mature neurons induced by the amylospheroid. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a use of Na+/K+-ATPase ?3 as a binding target molecule of amylospheroid. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for suppressing death of mature neurons induced by the amylospheroid, including inhibiting protein-protein interaction between the amylospheroid and the Na+/K+-ATPase ?3, and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing synthetic amylospheroids efficiently, the method including agitating a liquid containing amyloid ?-peptides in the presence of a plasticizer. Amylospheroid refers to an assembly of amyloid ?-peptides that selectively can induce cell death of functionally mature neurons. Amylospheroid is considered to play a central role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing synthetic amylospheroids efficiently, the method including agitating a liquid containing amyloid ?-peptides in the presence of a plasticizer. Amylospheroid refers to an assembly of amyloid ?-peptides that selectively can induce cell death of functionally mature neurons. Amylospheroid is considered to play a central role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Abstract: An antibody provided by the present invention has a low reactivity with amyloid precursor proteins, and has a higher reactivity with amylospheroids than with amyloid ? fibrils or monomeric amyloid ?-proteins. According to the present invention, an antibody is provided that has a higher reactivity with amylospheroids than with amyloid precursor proteins, and has any one or more of the following properties: (i) a higher activity with amylospheroids than with amyloid ? fibrils; (ii) a higher reactivity with amylospheroids than with monomeric amyloid ?-proteins; and (iii) an activity of inhibiting neuronal cell death induced by amylospheroids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing an antibody having greater reactivity with amylospheroid than with amyloid ? fibers, and the like. The aforementioned antibody includes an antibody having activity of inhibiting amylospheroid formation or activity of inhibiting neuronal cell death induced by amylospheroid. The antibody can be used for a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for Alzheimer's disease, or a screening thereof, a method and reagent for detecting individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and the like.

Abstract: An antibody provided by the present invention has a low reactivity with amyloid precursor proteins, and has a higher reactivity with amylospheroids than with amyloid ? fibrils or monomeric amyloid ?-proteins. According to the present invention, an antibody is provided that has a higher reactivity with amylospheroids than with amyloid precursor proteins, and has any one or more of the following properties: (i) a higher activity with amylospheroids than with amyloid ? fibrils; (ii) a higher reactivity with amylospheroids than with monomeric amyloid ?-proteins; and (iii) an activity of inhibiting neuronal cell death induced by amylospheroids.