Abstract: The invention relates to GPE analogs, particularly GPE analogs capable of inducing an equivalent physiological effect to GPE within a patient. Such GPE analogs include peptides where the Gly of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Pro; where the Pro of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Gly; and where the Glu of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Asn, Asp, or Gln. The GPE analogs of the invention have application in any method of therapy or prophylaxis in which GPE has application. These applications include the treatment of acute brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, including but not limited to injury or disease in the CNS. The GPE analogs will normally be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition or preparation.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include methods for increasing the amount of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals in need of an increase in TH. Methods include the use of the tripeptide, gly-pro-glu (GPE) to increase TH in the CNS. GPE can increase the amount of TH and/or decrease the loss of TH in conditions characterized by a loss of dopamine, such as Parkinson's disease and CNS injury. GPE may act to increase the expression of TH or by inhibiting a decrease in TH expression within the CNS or by inhibiting the loss of TH-containing neurons within the CNS. By increasing the amounts of TH in the CNS, GPE can increase the amount of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in areas of the CNS responsible for adverse symptoms of neural injury or disease.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include methods for increasing the amount of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals in need of an increase in TH. Methods include the use of the tripeptide, gly-pro-glu (GPE) to increase TH in the CNS. GPE can increase the amount of TH and/or decrease the loss of TH in conditions characterized by a loss of dopamine, such as Parkinson's disease and CNS injury. GPE may act to increase the expression of TH or by inhibiting a decrease in TH expression within the CNS or by inhibiting the loss of TH-containing neurons within the CNS. By increasing the amounts of TH in the CNS, GPE can increase the amount of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in areas of the CNS responsible for adverse symptoms of neural injury or disease.

Abstract: Weight gain in a mammal, especially a human, having a condition that leads to decreased weight gain or weight loss, such as AIDS, brain trauma, a chronic neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, or multiple sclerosis, or other condition, is promoted by increasing the effective concentration of a GPE-related compound (GPE or a GPE analog) in the central nervous system of the mammal. This increase may be achieved by administration to the mammal of an effective amount of a GPE-related compound, a prodrug thereof, or an implant containing cells that express the GPE-related compound or prodrug.

Abstract: The invention relates to GPE analogs, particularly GPE analogs capable of inducing an equivalent physiological effect to GPE within a patient. Such GPE analogs include peptides where the Gly of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Pro; where the Pro of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Ala, Ser, Thr, or Gly; and where the Glu of Gly-Pro-Glu is replaced by any of Asn, Asp, or Gln. The GPE analogs of the invention have application in any method of therapy or porphylaxis in which GPE has application. These applications include the treatment of acute brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, including but not limited to injury or disease in the CNS. The GPE analogs will normally be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition or preparation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of regulating the effect of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In particular it relates to increasing the effective amount of TH in the central nervous systems (CNS) for the purpose of increasing TH-mediated dopamine production in the treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Weight gain in a mammal, especially a human, having a condition that leads to decreased weight gain or weight loss, such as AIDS, brain trauma, a chronic neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, or multiple sclerosis, or other condition, is promoted by increasing the effective concentration of a GPE-related compound (GPE or a GPE analog) in the central nervous system of the mammal. This increase may be achieved by administration to the mammal of an effective amount of a GPE-related compound, a prodrug thereof, or an implant containing cells that express the GPE-related compound or prodrug.