Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the determination of ‘free’ copper concentration in serum, i.e. the portion of serum copper not structurally bound to ceruloplasmin. The present invention also refers to a method with a high degree of sensitivity and precision for the determination of free copper in serum samples of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of compounds able to inhibit with high affinity and selectivity the 5-HT7 receptor and having the following formula IV: wherein W is O; K, L, M and Q is CH or nitrogen; R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; and Ar is an aromatic ring with the following formula: wherein X, Y and Z is CH; and R3 is a five- or six-membered ring selected from the group consisting of:

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of compounds with high affinity and selectivity towards P-glycoprotein. The invention also relates to the utilization of such compounds in the in vivo diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and as medicaments for use in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease involving P-glycoprotein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of compounds with high affinity and selectivity towards P-glycoprotein. The invention also relates to the utilization of such compounds in the in vivo diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and as medicaments for use in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease involving P-glycoprotein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of compounds able to inhibit with high affinity and selectivity the 5-HT7 receptor. The invention also relates to the utilization of such compounds as medicaments useful in the treatment and prevention of 5-HT7 receptor relating disorders of the central nervous system. The invention also relates to the isotopically labeled compounds for use in vivo diagnosis or imaging of a 5-HT7 condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of compounds, which are 1-phenylalcoxy-2-?-phenylethyl derivatives, as P-glycoprotein (P-GP) inhibitors. These compounds are useful in drug resistance events. They have been shown able to inhibit in a dose-dependent manner Glycoprotein-P (P-gp) activity in cell lines in which the expression of said glycoprotein is very high, like Caco-2 (human colon cancer) cells and MCF7/Adr (adriamycin-resistant human breast carcinoma) cells. The invention also relates to methods of production and the utilization of such compounds as medicaments useful in the treatment of states linked to the difficulty for some drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and generally within the context of the problems of drug resistance induced by chemotherapy agents.

Abstract: A series of N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-4-aryl-1-piperazinealkylamides was prepared and their affinity for serotonin 5-HT7, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2A receptors was measured using in vitro binding assays. In relation to 5-HT7 receptor affinity, receptor binding studies indicated that: (i) the optimal alkyl chain length was five methylenes; (ii) an unsubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl nucleus was selected for further substitutions; and (iii) the substitution pattern of the aryl ring linked to the piperazine ring played a significant role. Several compound with high affinity for 5-HT7 receptors were identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification, isolation and characterization of the proteins forming the sigma-2 receptor. The invention further relates to the utilization of said proteins for preparing a screening for the sigma-2 receptor, as well as assay of specific candidate ligands to the use of the ligands for setting up diagnostic assays for tumour tissues and for preparing antitumour drugs. Lastly, the isolated proteins are utilized for producing anti-receptor antibodies, which likewise find employ in the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of neoplasias.

Abstract: A series of N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-4-aryl-1-piperazinealkylamides was prepared and their affinity for serotonin 5-HT7, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2A receptors was measured using in vitro binding assays. In relation to 5-HT7 receptor affinity, receptor binding studies indicated that: (i) the optimal alkyl chain length was five methylenes; (ii) an unsubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl nucleus was selected for further substitutions; and (iii) the substitution pattern of the aryl ring linked to the piperazine ring played a significant role. Several compound with high affinity for 5-HT7 receptors were identified.