Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases wherein mis-folded proteins accumulate in characteristic lesions and contribute substantially to a pathogenesis and to an inflammatory reaction magnifying the damage, by the isolated or joint effect of inhibitors of the alanyl amino peptidase (APN) and of the dipeptidyl peptidase N (DP IV). Our results show that the application of inhibitors of the above-referenced enzymes or of preparations and dosage forms containing such inhibitors is definitely suitable for a therapy and prevention of dementia diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vital mammalian heart tissue cells maintained ex vivo while simulating physiological conditions, particularly vital mammalian heart tissue cells maintained ex vivo in a usual culture medium with the addition of a culture gas at a physiologically acceptable pH value, processes for their collection and for their cultivation as well as their use in model investigations of chemical, biological and/or physical influences on physiological or pathophysiological processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases wherein mis-folded proteins accumulate in characteristic lesions and contribute substantially to a pathogenesis and to an inflammatory reaction magnifying the damage, by the isolated or joint effect of inhibitors of the alanyl amino peptidase (APN) and of the dipeptidyl peptidase N (DP IV). Our results show that the application of inhibitors of the above-referenced enzymes or of preparations and dosage forms containing such inhibitors is definitely suitable for a therapy and prevention of dementia diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A drug composition for the prevention and the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases (for example ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, focal and global ischemia, amyotrophic lateral slerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Hunntington's disease, multiple sclerosis). The combination of effective agents comprises at least two of the following substances: &agr;-lipoic acid; ambroxol and one or several inhibitor(s) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). It could surprisingly be found in the experiments on which the invention is based that neuronal cells which are particularly sensitive to degenerative insults, have less free constitutional thiol groups than have other cells of the central nervous system (CNS). It was demonstrated that this reduced content of free thiol groups is causally connected to the damaging of those cells after a degenerative event.