Abstract: This invention provides analogs and peptidomimetics of glycyl-L-prolyl-L-glutamic acid (GPE). In particular, this invention relates to GPE analogs and peptidomimetics that are anti-apoptotic, anti-necrotic and have neuroprotective effects. These agents are useful in treating neurodegeneration and behavioural disorders caused by toxins, traumatic brain injury and autoimmune disorders of the brain, such as multiple sclerosis and in reducing seizures.

Abstract: Gly-Pro-Glu (GPE) is rapidly metabolized in vivo. We found that GPE infusion elicits potent and consistent neuroprotection in all brain regions examined, and in certain embodiments, the effects were greater than those of a bolus injection followed by infusion (“loading dose/infusion”). GPE reduced apoptosis in the hippocampus and inhibited microglial proliferation and prevented the injury-induced loss of astrocytes and improved long-term somatofunction. GPE after infusion showed a broad effective dose range (0.3-30 mg/kg/h) and had a surprisingly extended window of treatment efficacy, permitting its use from 1 to at least as late as 24 h after neural injury. We also found that neuroprotective effects of acute GPE administration were prolonged and therefore capable of being used effectively to treat a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, even when administered after a neural injury.

Abstract: This invention includes embodiments comprising activin and analogs of activin for neuronal rescue in patients having neurons that are subject to death and/or degradation as a result of neurological diseases. In certain embodiments, an activin receptor agonist can be useful for treating neuralogical diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or other diseases involving neural degeneration and loss of neural function.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for treating loss of cognitive function in animals that results from aging. In particular, compounds of this invention can stimulate neural cell growth, increased amounts of cells containing a key enzyme needed for production of the cholinergic neurotransmitter, and can improve memory and cognitive function in animals who have experienced a loss of memory or cognitive function as a result of aging.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods of treating conditions requiring human growth hormone (hGH) therapy, whereby the beneficial effects of hGH such as growth promotion and lipolysis are retained and unwanted properties are reduced or eliminated. In particular, it is directed at a method of treatment whereby the lactogenic side effects of hGH treatment are reduced. Said enhanced method includes the use of a growth hormone variant; 20 kDa hGH-V in the treatment of conditions that are currently treated with hGH or that have the potential to be treated with hGH.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention include the use of G-2MePE to treat patients with brain injury characterized by non-convulsive seizures. G-2MePE is useful in treating brain injuries caused by traumatic brain injury, stroke, hypoxia/ischemia and toxic injury.

Abstract: The invention relates to GPE analogs, particularly GPE analogs capable of inducing an equivalent physiological effect to GPE within a patient. Such GPE analogs include peptides where the Gly of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Pro; where the Pro of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Gly; and where the Glu of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Asn, Asp, or Gln. The GPE analogs of the invention have application in any method of therapy or prophylaxis in which GPE has application. These applications include the treatment of acute brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, including but not limited to injury or disease in the CNS. The GPE analogs will normally be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition or preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to GPE analogs, particularly GPE analogs capable of inducing an equivalent physiological effect to GPE within a patient. Such GPE analogs include peptides where the Gly of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Pro; where the Pro of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Gly; and where the Glu of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Asn, Asp, or Gln. The GPE analogs of the invention have application in any method of therapy or porphylaxis in which GPE has application. These applications include the treatment of acute brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, including but not limited to injury or disease in the CNS. The GPE analogs will normally be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition or preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system which methods involve increasing the active concentration(s) of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-&bgr;1) and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising TGF-&bgr;1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient prior to, simultaneous with, or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system which methods involve increasing the active concentration(s) of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-&bgr;1) and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising TGF-&bgr;1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient prior to, simultaneous with, or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.

Abstract: IGF-1 and a hypocaloric amount of nutrient are used to treat a catabolic state in a patient. The IGF-1 and nutrient can be administered simultaneously, separately or sequentially. The amounts of IGF-1 and hypocaloric amount of nutrient are effective for the treatment of the catabolic state.

Abstract: A method of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system that predominantly affects glia and/or non-cholinergic neuronal cells characterized in that it comprises the step of increasing the active concentration(s) of insulin-like growth factor 1 and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising insulin-like growth factor 1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient at or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of growth hormone (GH) or effective analogues thereof for the manufacture of a medicament intended for preoperative administration in order to reduce protein loss, especially for the manufacture of a medicament for the preparation of a patient for surgery or other elective situation where catabolism may be induced.

Abstract: A method of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system that predominantly effects glia and/or non-cholinergic neuronal cells characterized in that it comprises the step of increasing the active concentration(s) of insulin-like growth factor 1 and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising insulin-like growth factor 1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient at or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.

Abstract: Human IGF-I or effective analogues thereof are used for preventing or treating cardiac disorders. Compositions are also provided that comprise human IGF-I or effective analogues thereof together with additional proteins or peptides such as other growth factors, hormones, binding proteins or receptors for enhancing or improving the desired effects of IGF-I or its effective analogues and possibly pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent for the prevention or treatment of cardiac disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hGH, hGRF, hIGF-1, hIGF-2 or analogs of these or a mixture of two or more of these, alone or in conjunction with lactational enhancers for the treatment of human lactation failure. It also relates to the use of hGH, hGRF, hIGF-1, hIGF-2 or analogs of these or a mixture of two or more of these, alone or in conjunction with lactational enhancers for the manufacturing of a medicament for the treatment of human lactation failure, also a profphlactic treatment. Preferably human growth hormone is used. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of human lactation failure as well as compositions and methods for their manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system that predominantly effects glia and/or non-cholinergic neuronal cells characterized in that it comprises the step of increasing the active concentration(s) of insulin-like growth factor 1 and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising insulin-like growth factor 1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient at or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.