Abstract: An antiseptic composition useful in destroying the infectivity of infectious proteins such as prions is disclosed. The antiseptic composition is preferably maintained at a pH of 4.0 or less which allows for an environment under which the active component destroys infectivity. The composition may be added to blood, blood products, collagen, tissues and organs prior to transplantation. The composition also may be added to livestock feed to denature any prions in the livestock. Methods of denaturing infectious proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assay comprises contacting cells containing a conformationally altered protein with test compound and determining if the altered protein is cleared. The cells may be scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells. Another assay comprises contacting organ or tissue homogenate (at pH 5.0 or less) with test compound to determine if altered protein in the homogenate is cleared. The homogenate may be brain homogenate from a transgenic mouse infected with human prions. Compounds which are found to clear the altered protein are useful in preventing, arresting and/or reversing (i.e. treating) a disease associated with the conformationally altered protein.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing objects as well as the sterilized objects obtained from the method are disclosed. The method involves contacting an object such as a medical device to be reused with polycationic dendrimer under conditions which result in rendering a conformationally altered protein (e.g. a prion) non-infectious. A disinfecting agent or surgical scrub composition which comprises the dendrimers is also disclosed as are gelatin capsules treated with polycationic dendrimers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of arresting, preventing and/or reversing the impairment of central and peripheral nervous system function comprising reducing insoluble protein deposit burden by the administration of branched polycationic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such branched polycationic compounds. The compounds used in the preferred method of the invention are branched dendritic polycations.