Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying agents that modulate intracellular calcium. Also provided are methods of modulating calcium within cells and methods of identifying proteins involved in modulating intracellular calcium.

Abstract: The presently described subject matter relates to isolated spider venom peptides, which are used as potent and selective ion channel blockers, and to a composition and methods for treatment of pain.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of modulating cellular function and treatment of disease in mammals comprising locally administering a regulated SNARE inhibitor and a translocating agent to the mammal. Regulated SNARE inhibitors include clostridial neurotoxins, tetanus neurotoxin and their free light chain portions and IgA protease. Translocating agents include acids, encapsulating vectors, and transduction domains.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to new peptides designed based on the sequence of human lactoferrin and to use thereof, in particular for treatment and/or prevention of infections, inflammations, tumours, pain, wounds and/or scars.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a peptide molecule or a nucleic acid molecule, for use in medicine and, in particular, for use in preventing or treating a non-cancerous condition or relieving pain in a patient. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide or nucleic acid molecule of the invention and methods of treatment thereof.

Abstract: The invention features methods of treating mood disorders, such as manic disorders, and stabilizing moods by administering a kappa agonist or partial agonist to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a conjugate comprising Substance P, or an analog thereof, and a protein, such as Saporin, that inhibits protein synthesis. This invention provides a method of reducing the perception of pain by a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the conjugate comprising Substance 9, or an analog thereof, and a protein such as Saporin that inhibits protein synthesis, so as to reduce the perception of pain by the subject. This invention provides a method of selectively destroying NK-1R-expressing neuronal cells in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the conjugate comprising Substance P, or an analog thereof, and a protein such as Saporin that inhibits protein synthesis, so as to selectively destroy NK-1R-expresssing neuronal cells.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to a method of producing analgesia in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the subject an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivacaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyil, buprenorphine, and sufentanil, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the ?-conopeptide retains its potency and is physically and chemically compatible with the analgesic compound. A preferred route of administration is intrathecal administration, particularly continuous intrathecal infusion. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, an antioxidant, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivacaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and sufentanil.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to a method of producing analgesia in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the subject an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivacaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyil, buprenorphine, and sufentanil, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the ?-conopeptide retains its potency and is physically and chemically compatible with the analgesic compound. A preferred route of administration is intrathecal administration, particularly continuous intrathecal infusion. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, an antioxidant, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivacaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and sufentanil.

Abstract: Use of a neurotoxic component of a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex for the facial cosmetic treatment of a human or animal susceptible to suffering from doll's face or frozen face, or the neurotoxic component of a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex for the treatment of a disease or disorder caused by or associated with hyperactive cholinergic innervation of muscles or exocrine glands in a human or animal susceptible to side effects associated with the treatment of said disease or disorder with a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex:

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions to treat glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDE) related disorders. The invention also relates to methods treating GDE related disorders. The invention further relates to kits for treating GDE related disorders in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of identifying novel treatments for treating GDE related disorders in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of the peptide compound His-Asp-Glu-Phe-Glu-Arg-His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Lys-Gly-Arg-Gly-OH as a therapeutic agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions preferably in form of a lyophilisate or liquid buffer solution or artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute containing the peptide His-Asp-Glu-Phe-Glu-Arg-His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Lys-Gly-Arg-Gly-OH optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient and/or diluent.

Abstract: Use of antagonists to IL-31Ra and OSMRb are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include soluble receptors, antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides that facilitate the intercellular communication mediated by gap junctions. The invention has a wide spectrum of useful applications including use in the treatment of diseases associated with impaired gap junction intracellular communication (GJIC).

Abstract: Pharmaceutical agents, compositions containing the same and methods for their use for enhancing the bioavailability and pharmacological efficacy of therapeutic peptides. The pharmaceutical agents have the formula Carrier-Linker-Peptide Wherein Peptide is a therapeutically active peptide species having the formula aan wherein n is the number of amino acid residues in the peptide and n is 2 to 40, Carrier is benzoyl, phenylacetyl, cinnamoyl, 3-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamoyl, 3-methoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-diethoxy-cinnamoyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamoyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, pivaloyl, N-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, fumaroyl and derivatives thereof and Linker is a C6 to C16 lipidic chain or a derivative thereof, an 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid or polymeric derivative thereof, pseudo peptide, or peptide mimic. Methods of use of compositions having the formula Carrier-Peptide wherein Carrier and Peptide are as just defined are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants and methods for the delivery of a therapeutic agent to a target location within a patient's body are disclosed. The implants include a fiber comprising a polymeric material and having a diameter of up to about twenty microns, and a first therapeutic agent within the fiber. The therapeutic agent is substantially in particulate form. The implants are of a variety of configurations, such as individual fibers, yarns, ropes, tubes, and patches.

Abstract: Saxitoxin analogue compounds, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of synthesis of saxitoxin analogues, methods of imaging, methods of treatment, including methods of treating pain, are provided. Saxitoxin (STX), gonyautoxin (GTX), and zetekitoxin, and variant STX compounds bind to sodium channels and are effective to reduce or block flow of sodium ions through such channels. Such channel block affects nerve and muscle action, and may be effective to reduce or block pain sensations, relax muscles, reduce muscle spasm, and reduce wrinkles. STX analogue binding to sodium channels may also be useful to locate, image, or mark sodium channels, and so be useful in studying sodium channels and sodium channel disorders, and in the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from sodium channel disorders. In embodiments, the variant STX compounds include conjugates having increased serum half-life as compared to STX when administered to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved formulations of botulinum toxin that increase delivery of the botulinum toxin to neural and associated tissues and exhibit a higher specific neurotoxicity and higher potency (in LD50 Units) than available formulations of botulinum toxins. These improved formulations enable physicians to treat a wide variety of pathological conditions with a lower toxin load that reduces the risk of inducing an immune response against the toxin and its associated proteins that may ultimately lead to the development of toxin resistance. These benefits are particularly important in the treatment of conditions that require high-dose or chronic administration of botulinum toxin. Additionally, the decreased in LD50 Unit doses of inventive formulations allows for controlled administration limits diffusion. The present invention also provides methods of treating neuromuscular diseases and pain, using low-dose botulinum toxin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of compounds of the formula: for treating pain, in particular neuropathic pain, bipolar disease and migraine headaches.

Abstract: Inflammation caused by disease states such as rheumatism, gout, neurodegeneration and tumours result in the increased effectiveness of the opioid peptide biphalin or its analogues, due likely to the increased permeability of the “blood-brain barrier”, due to which it becomes possible to use the opioid peptide to produce a new analgesic for use during inflammation caused by rheumatism, gout, neurodegeneration, post-surgical or post-accidental trauma or tumours.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a granulin or a granulin-like compound for producing a pharmaceutical composition for the therapy or prophylaxis of chronic pain, in particular for neuropathic pain.

Abstract: The present invention features a compound having the formula A-X—B, where A is peptide vector capable of enhancing transport of the compound across the blood-brain barrier or into particular cell types, X is a linker, and B is a peptide therapeutic selected from the group consisting of neurotensin, a neurotensin analog, or a neurotensin receptor agonist. The compounds of the invention can be used to treat any disease in which increased neurotensin activity is useful and can be used to induce hypothermia or analgesia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, and immunoadhesions and antibodies to mammalian GFR?3, a novel ?-subunit receptor of the GDNF (i.e. GFR) receptor family. It further relates to an assay for measuring activation of an ?-subunit receptor by detecting tyrosine kinase receptor activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) or other activities related to ligand-induced ?-subunit receptor homo-dimerization or homo-oligomerization.