Abstract: The invention provides methods useful for effecting prophylaxis or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Such methods entail administering A-beta fragments from a central or C-terminal regions of A-beta. Such fragments can induce a polyclonal mixture of antibodies that specifically bind to soluble A-beta without binding to plaques. The antibodies can inhibit formation of amyloid deposits of A-beta in the brain of a patient from soluble A&bgr; thus preventing or treating the disease. Fragment A-beta 15-24 and subfragments of 5-10 contiguous amino acids thereof are preferred immunogens due to their capacity to generate a high titer of antibodies.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of screening compounds for their ability to alter the production of A&bgr;(x≧41) alone or in combination with A&bgr;(x≦40). The methods involve administering compounds to cells, specifically measuring the amounts of A&bgr;(x≦40) and A&bgr;(x≧41) produced by the cells, and comparing these amounts to that produced by the cells without administration of the compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of screening compounds for their ability to alter the production of A&bgr;(x≧41) alone or in combination with A&bgr;(x≦40). The methods involve administering compounds to cells, specifically measuring the amounts of A&bgr;(x≦40) and A&bgr;(x≧41) produced by the cells, and comparing these amounts to that produced by the cells without administration of the compounds.

Abstract: A multiple examination arrangement has a number of imaging systems, including at least an angiography system, a CT system and an MR system arranged in a room such that a patient lying on a patient bearing table can be selectively examined without repositioning in one of the imaging systems by a relative movement of the carrier of the imaging systems and the patient support table.

Abstract: A method for identifying inhibitors of the production of &bgr;-amyloid peptides by administration of a compound to a mammalian host is provided.

Abstract: X-ray diagnostic apparatus has a beam transmitter and beam receiver mounted opposite one another on a curved holder. In a first operating mode, the curved holder is formed by at least a first circular ring segment on which the beam transmitter and the beam receiver are mounted. In a second operating mode, a second circular ring segment is coupled to the first circular ring segment so that a closed ring results. Displacement arrangements, as well as energy supply connections, are provided for the beam transmitter and the beam receiver, and a signal transmission arrangement for the beam receiver is provided, so that the beam transmitter and the beam receiver can be controlled, positioned opposite one another, so as to rotate around an examination subject. With this X-ray diagnostic apparatus, both transirradiation exposures and computed tomography exposures can be produced.

Abstract: This invention provides methods useful in aiding in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The methods involve measuring the amount of amyloid-.beta. peptide (x-.gtoreq.41) in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient. High levels of the peptide generally are inconsistent with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Low levels of the peptide are consistent with the disease and, with other tests, can provide a positive diagnosis.

Abstract: Processing of .beta.-amyloid precursor protein (.beta.APP) is monitored by detecting the secretion of a soluble .beta.APP fragment resulting from cleavage of .beta.APP at the amino-terminus of .beta.-amyloid peptide. In vivo monitoring of secretion of the .beta.APP fragment may be monitored for diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease and other .beta.-amyloid-related diseases, while in vitro monitoring of such secretion from cultured cells may be monitored to identify inhibitors of .beta.-amyloid production. The .beta.APP fragment may be detected using antibodies and other specific binding substances which recognize a carboxy-terminal residue on the fragment.

Abstract: Soluble .beta.-amyloid peptide (.beta.AP) is measured in biological fluids at very low concentrations, typically in the range from 0.1 ng/ml to 10 ng/ml. The measurement of .beta.AP concentrations in animals or conditioned medium from cultured cells can be used for drug screening, where test compounds are administered to the animals or exposed to the cultured cells and the accumulation of .beta.AP in the animal or culture medium observed. It has been found that elevated levels of .beta.AP in body fluids, such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid, is associated with the presence of a .beta.AP-related condition in a patient, such as Alzheimer's Disease. Methods for diagnosing and monitoring .beta.AP-related conditions comprise measuring the levels of .beta.AP in such body fluids from a patient.

Abstract: Processing of .beta.-amyloid precursor protein (.beta.APP) is monitored by detecting the secretion of a soluble .beta.APP fragment resulting from cleavage of .beta.APP at the amino-terminus of .beta.-amyloid peptide. In vivo monitoring of secretion of the .beta.APP fragment may be monitored for diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease and other .beta.-amyloid-related diseases, while in vitro monitoring of such secretion from cultured cells may be monitored to identify inhibitors of .beta.-amyloid production. The .beta.APP fragment may be detected using antibodies and other specific binding substances which recognize a carboxy-terminal residue on the fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying beta amyloid production inhibitors, wherein cells are cultured under conditions which result in secretion of a soluble fragment of beta amyloid precursor protein. The amino acid sequence of the fragment extends from the amino terminus of beta APP to the amino terminus of the beta amyloid peptide. The cultured cells are exposed to test compounds which cause a change in the secreted amount of the soluble fragment of beta APP which is determined.

Abstract: Processing of .beta.-amyloid precursor protein (.beta.APP) is monitored by detecting the secretion of a soluble amino-terminal fragment or .beta.APP (ATF-.beta.APP) resulting from cleavage of .beta.APP at the amino-terminus of .beta.-amyloid peptide. Secretion of ATF-.beta.APP in animal models may be monitored to identify inhibitors of .beta.-amyloid production. The ATF-.beta.APP may be detected using antibodies and other specific binding substances which recognize a carboxy terminal residue on the fragment. Animals expressing the Swedish mutation of .beta.APP are described which produce abundant amounts of ATF-.beta.APP.

Abstract: Soluble .beta.-amyloid peptide (.beta.AP) is measured in biological fluids at very low concentrations, typically in the range from 0.1 ng/ml to 10 ng/ml. The measurement of .beta.AP concentrations in animals or conditioned medium from cultured cells can be used for drug screening, where test compounds are administered to the animals or exposed to the cultured cells and the accumulation of .beta.AP in the animal or culture medium observed. It has been found that elevated levels of .beta.AP in body fluids, such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid, is associated with the presence of a .beta.AP-related condition in a patient, such as Alzheimer's Disease. Methods for diagnosing and monitoring .beta.AP-related conditions comprise measuring the levels of .beta.AP in such body fluids from a patient.

Abstract: Processing of .beta.-amyloid precursor protein (.beta.APP) is monitored by detecting the secretion of a soluble .beta.APP fragment resulting from cleavage of .beta.APP at the amino-terminus of .beta.-amyloid peptide. In vivo monitoring of secretion of the .beta.APP fragment may be monitored for diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease and other .beta.-amyloid-related diseases, while in vitro monitoring of such secretion from cultured cells may be monitored to identify inhibitors of .beta.-amyloid production. The .beta.APP fragment may be detected using antibodies and other specific binding substances which recognize a carboxy-terminal residue on the fragment.

Abstract: A proteolytic enzyme isolated from human tissue which exhibits a proteolytic activity to hydrolyze Met-Asp peptide bond in an amyloid-like substrate is disclosed. This enzyme has been designated "amyloidin" because it proteolytically cleaves a Met-Asp bond similar to the one present in the amyloid precursor protein to release a fragment having the mature Asp terminus of the .beta.-amyloid peptide. Antibodies to the amyloidin protease are also provided. Methods to isolate and purify the amyloidin protease are provided, as well as assays to screen for inhibitors of the amyloidin protease. Also disclosed is the gene encoding the protease and methods for expression of the protease by recombinant DNA means.

Abstract: A medical therapy system includes an x-ray system for locating a treatment site in a patient and a therapy device for administering medical therapy. Apparatus is provided for supporting and positioning the therapy device, which includes a computer into which the position of the therapy device can be entered with reference to the x-ray images, with automatic positioning of the therapy device being undertaken based on the entered data.

Abstract: A proteolytic enzyme isolated from human tissue which exhibits a proteolytic activity to hydrolyze Met-Asp peptide bond in an amyloid-like substrate is disclosed. This enzyme has been designated "amyloidin" because it proteolytically cleaves a Met-Asp bond similar to the one present in the amyloid precursor protein to release a fragment having the mature Asp terminus of the .beta.-amyloid peptide. Antibodies to the amyloidin protease are also provided. Methods to isolate and purify the amyloidin protease are provided, as well as assays to screen for inhibitors of the amyloidin protease. Also disclosed is the gene encoding the protease and methods for expression of the protease by recombinant DNA means.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the detection of cellular pathology by means of an immunoassay to determine the presence of stable breakdown products, termed BDP's or BDP1 and BDP2, of the cytoskeleton component spectrin. In one aspect of the invention, the components from a sample of spectrin-containing cells are physically separated, as by exposure to an electric field, in such a way that BDP and spectrin are separated. Antibodies reactive with BDP are then contacted with the separated sample, and their binding to that portion of the sample containing any BDP determined. In another aspect of the invention, an assay, such as an ELISA assay, is performed to detect total spectrin immunoreactivity as an indication of cellular death or degradation.

Abstract: A positioning control system controls the shifting of one of a plurality of radiation filters into the ray path. Transducers provide an electric density signal which is dependent upon the density of the examination subject. The control system has an electromotor activated by a control circuit to which the density signal is applied and which activates the motor corresponding to the respective density signal for the purpose of selection of the correct filter. The transducers may be coupled with a device physically acting in compression on a body part of the patient to be examined such that the degree of resistance of the body part to compression is sensed by the transducers as a measure of patient density.