Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate corticotropin releasing factor2 receptors (CRF2R) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are disclosed. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of CRF2Rs or of CRF2R signal transduction pathways, increase CRF2R or increase CRF expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CRF2R agonists, antibodies to CRF2R and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using CRF2R as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate (D1 or D5 dopamine receptors individually or in combination) or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of D1 or D5 dopamine receptors or of D1 or D5 dopamine receptor signal transduction pathways and increase D1 or D5 dopamine receptor expression. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising D1 or D5 dopamine receptor agonists, antibodies to D1 or D5 dopamine receptors and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using D1 or D5 dopamine receptors as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate corticotropin releasing factor2 receptors (CRF2R) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are disclosed. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of CRF2Rs or of CRF2R signal transduction pathways, increase CRF2R or increase CRF expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CRF2R agonists, antibodies to CRF2R and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using CRF2R as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are MC-4 and/or MC-3 receptor ligands having the formula: wherein B is a suitable linking group comprising a least one amino acid.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that regulate skeletal muscle atrophy or hypertrophy, regulate the activity or expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors (VPAC) or regulate expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or VIP analogs are provided. Methods for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy utilizing VPAC as the target for intervention are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that regulate skeletal muscle atrophy or hypertrophy, regulate the activity or expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors (VPAC) or regulate expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or VIP analogs are provided. Methods for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy utilizing VPAC as the target for intervention are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate corticotropin releasing factor2 receptors (CRF2R) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are disclosed. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of CRF2Rs or of CRF2R signal transduction pathways, increase CRF2R or increase CRF expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CRF2R agonists, antibodies to CRF2R and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using CRF2R as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are MC-4 and/or MC-3 receptor ligands having the formula: 1

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate amylin receptors (AR) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of ARs or of AR signal transduction pathways, increase AR or increase amylin expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising AR agonists, antibodies to AR and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using AR as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate corticotropin releasing factor2 receptors (CRF2R) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of CRF2Rs or of CRF2R signal transduction pathways, increase CRF2R or increase CRF expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CRF2R agonists, antibodies to CRF2R and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using CRF2R as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate (D1 or D5 dopamine receptors individually or in combination) or regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of D1 or D5 dopamine receptors or of D1 or D5 dopamine receptor signal transduction pathways and increase D1 or D5 dopamine receptor expression. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising D1 or D5 dopamine receptor agonists, antibodies to D1 or D5 dopamine receptors and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using D1 or D5 dopamine receptors as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate corticotropin releasing factor2 receptors (CRF2R) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of CRF2Rs or of CRF2R signal transduction pathways, increase CRF2R or increase CRF expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CRF2R agonists, antibodies to CRF2R and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using CRF2R as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyclic peptide analogs that are MC-4 and/or MC-3 receptor ligands, the analogs having a structure according to Formula (I): wherein B, X, E, Z, D, G, M′, W, R, R1, R1′, R11, m, n, p and q are as described in the specification. The peptide analogs are useful in treating diseases that are mediated by the MC-4 and/or the MC-3 receptor. As such, the invention is directed to methods of treating body weight disorders, such as obesity, anorexia, and cachexia. The invention also relates to the treatment of CNS depression, behavior-related disorders, memory-related disorders, cardiovascular function, inflammation, sepsis, septic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, muscle atrophy, diseases associated with nerve growth and repair, and intrauterine fetal growth. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptide analogs of Formula (I).

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the following structure: 1

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the following structure: as described in the Claims; and enantiomers, optical isomers, stereoisomers, diastereomers, tautomers, addition salts, biohydrolyzable amides and esters thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such novel compounds. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for preventing or treating disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors.

Abstract: This invention involves involves the use of compounds having the following structure: wherein: (a) R is unsubstituted C1-C3 alkanyl or alkenyl; and (b) R′ is selected from hydrogen; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkanyl or alkenyl; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkylthio or alkoxy; hydroxy; thiol; cyano; and halo; for preventing or treating of disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors. The subject invention also involves novel compounds and compositions.

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the following structure: 1

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the following structure: wherein: a) R1 is hydrogen; or alkyl; bond (a) is a single or a double bond; b) R2 and R3 are each independently selected from hydrogen; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; cycloalkanyl, cycloalkenyl; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkylthio or alkoxy; hydroxy; thio; nitro; cyano; amino; C1-C3 alkylamino or C1-C3 dialkylamino and halo; c) R4, R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; cycloalkanyl, cycloalkenyl; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkylthio or alkoxy; hydroxy; thio; nitro; cyano; amino; C1-C3 alkylamino or C1-C3 dialkylamino; halo; and 2-imidazolinylamino; and wherein one and only one of R4, R5 and R6 is 2-imidazolinylamino; d) R7 is selected from hydrogen; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; cycloalkanyl, cycloalkenyl; unsubstituted C1-C3 alkylthio or alkoxy; hydroxy; thio; nitro; cyano; amino; C1-C3 alkylamino or C1-C3 dialkylamino and halo;

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the following structure: as described in the Claims; and enantiomers, optical isomers, stereoisomers, diastereomers, tautomers, addition salts, biohydrolyzable amides and esters thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such novel compounds. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for preventing or treating disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors.

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the following structure: 1