Abstract: Described herein are methods for increasing insulin sensitivity and for treating Diabetes (Type I and Type II). Also described herein are methods for increasing the amount of brown fat in a subject and for treating metabolic disorders, including obesity.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain of a patient with at least one risk factor for, or a diagnosis of, Alzheimer's Disease by administering to the patient an amount of one or more compounds effective to inhibit the phosphorylative activity of eEF2K, thereby inhibiting amyloid plaque deposition.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound which affects the formation of AMPA receptors into aggregates. A method is also provided for identifying a compound which affects the formation of synaptic connections. A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates immediate early gene expression. A method is further provided for increasing the number of excretory synapses of a neuron, including introducing into the neuron a polynucleotide sequence encoding a Narp operatively linked to a promoter, or a Narp polypeptide, thereby increasing the number of excretory synapses of the neuron. A method is provided for treating a subject with a disorder associated with a decrease in a function or expression of Narp, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that augments Narp function or expression.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound which affects the formation of AMPA receptors into aggregates. The method also provides for a compound, for example, a long pentraxin polypeptide or fragment thereof, having a pentraxin binding domain and affecting AMPA receptor aggregation. The method provided herein affects AMPA receptor aggregation of GluR1, GluR2 and GluR3 receptor subunits.

Abstract: The invention features a method of identifying, evaluating and screening for compounds or agents for the treatment of disorders involving the Homer signaling pathway in the modulation of immunosupression and neuroprotection. The method inlcudes evaluating the ability of agents to modulate Homer protein activity, Homer protein/immunophilin-peptidylproline cis-trans isomerase interaction, and/or Homer protein/proline-type Homer ligand consensus sequence interaction to identify agents for such treatment. The invention also discloses treatment modalities involving agents identified by such methods.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates a cellualr response associated with Homer and mediated by a cell-surface or an intracellular receptor. A method is further provided for identifying a compound that modulates receptor activated calcium mobilization associated with Homer. A method is provided for identifying a compound that inhibits Homer protein activity based on the crystal structure coordinates of Homer protein binding domain. A method is also provided for identifying a compound that affects the formation of cell surface receptors into clusters. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding Homer proteins as well as Homer proteins, and Homer interacting proteins.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound which affects the formation of AMPA receptors into aggregates. A method is also provided for identifying a compound which affects the formation of synaptic connections. A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates immediate early gene expression. A method is further provided for increasing the number of excitory synapses of a neuron, including introducing into the neuron a polynucleotide sequence encoding a Narp operatively linked to a promoter, or a Narp polypeptide, thereby increasing the number of excitory synapses of the neuron. A method is provided for treating a subject with a disorder associated with a decrease in a function or expression of Narp, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that augments Narp function or expression.

Abstract: A novel neuronal cell growth factor, neuronal-activity regulated pentraxin, Narp, is provided, as well as polynucleotides encoding Narp. Narp is useful for induction of dendritic neurite outgrowth as well as promotion of neuronal migration. Methods for treatment of subjects having a neuronal cell disorder, utilizing Narp of the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: A novel neuronal cell growth factor, neuronal-activity regulated pentraxin, Narp, is provided, as well as polynucleotides encoding Narp. Narp is useful for induction of dendritic neurite outgrowth as well as promotion of neuronal migration. Methods for treatment of subjects having a neuronal cell disorder, utilizing Narp of the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: A novel neuronal cell growth factor, neuronal-activity regulated pentraxin, Narp, is provided, as well as polynucleotides encoding Narp. Narp is useful for induction of dendritic neurite outgrowth as well as promotion of neuronal migration. Methods for treatment of subjects having a neuronal cell disorder, utilizing Narp of the invention, are also provided.