Abstract: The invention relates to an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the coding region of the human acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which selectively suppresses the AChE-R isoform of the enzyme. The antisense oligonucleotide is intended for use in the treatment and/or prevention of neuromuscular disorders, preferably myasthenia gravis. In addition, it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and destroy AChE-R within central nervous system neurons, while also serving as a carrier to transport molecules across the BBB.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies recognizing acetylcholinesterase or a C-terminal peptide derived from acetyl-cholinesterase, useful in diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) stress, elevated glucocorticoid level, disruption of the blood-brain barrier or Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) stress, elevated glucocorticoid level or disruption of the blood-brain barrier in a mammal, by use of the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies recognizing acetylcholinesterase or a C-terminal peptide derived from acetyl-cholinesterase, useful in diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) stress, elevated glucocorticoid level, disruption of the blood-brain barrier or Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) stress, elevated glucocorticoid level or disruption of the blood-brain barrier in a mammal, by use of the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for treating injury to the central nervous system (CNS). The method includes administering to the CNS of a patient suffering from such an injury a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) production immediately following the injury. The methods use as the inhibitor a synthetic nuclease resistant antisense oligonucleotide or ribozyme that is directed against an accessible domain of the AChE mRNA brain variant. The treatment downregulates AChE production and thereby activity. The injury to the CNS may be a head injury (closed or open), brain injury, or spinal cord trauma or other trauma to the CNS.

Abstract: A synthetic nuclease resistant antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) capable of selectively modulating human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) production and a composition comprising at least one AS-ODN as an active ingredient. A nuclease resistant antisense targeted against the splice junction in the AChE mRNA post-splice message is disclosed. The synthetic nuclease resistant AS-ODNs are capable of selectively modulating human AChE production in the central nervous system or capable of selectively reducing human AChE deposition of the neuromuscular junction. The present invention also provides a method to restore balanced cholinergic signalling in the brain and spinal cord or reduce AChE in the neuromuscular junction in patients in need of such treatment by administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the synthetic nuclease resistant AS-ODN capable of selectively modulating human AChE production.

Abstract: A synthetic nuclease resistant antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-OND) capable of selectively modulating human acetylcholinesterase production in the central nervous system is provided. In an embodiment the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide can be selected from5'ACGCTTTCTTGAGGC 3' SEQ ID No:1, or - 5'GGCACCCTGGGCAGC 3' SEQ ID No:2.The present invention also discloses a pharmaceutical or medical composition comprising as active ingredient at least one synthetic nuclease resistant antisense oligodeoxynucleotide capable of selectively modulating human acetylcholinesterase production in the central nervous system in a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent.