Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating a subject having a disease, disorder or condition of the central nervous system. The methods include administering TGF-? polypeptides, related polypeptides, fragments and mimetics thereof useful in stimulating progenitor cell or stem cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. The methods of the invention are useful to treat and prophylactically ameliorate neurological tissue injury in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation. Example of diseases include muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders and neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide fragments derived from the proteins belonging to the TGFbeta superfamily, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptide fragments and uses thereof for treatment of a disease or condition wherein the effects of stimulating neuronal cell differentiation, neuronal cell survival, stimulating neural plasticity associated with learning and memory and/or inhibiting inflammatory response are beneficial for treatment.

Abstract: Compositions for treating nervous system conditions. In at least one embodiment of a stem cell conditioned medium of the present disclosure, the stem cell comprises a cell culture supernatant containing at least one factor capable of exerting effective neuroprotection to treat a mammalian neural injury or insult, the cell culture supernatant produced by culturing at least one mammalian adipose stem cell to produce the at least one factor.

Abstract: Methods of treating nervous system conditions. In at least one embodiment of a method of treating a mammalian patient having a neuronal injury or insult of the present disclosure, the method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically-effective dose of a stem cell conditioned medium to a mammalian patient, the stem cell conditioned medium comprising a cell culture supernatant containing at least one factor capable of exerting effective neuroprotection to treat a mammalian neural injury or insult.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons are provided by means of internalized purine administration such as by intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and intrapleural administration. The methods are noted for stimulating the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons following an injury (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral aneurism, spinal cord injury and the like).

Abstract: The invention features methods of treatment and diagnosis using NRG-2 polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies. The invention also provides novel NRG-2 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing cytopathy caused by ischemia, comprising a midkine family protein as an active ingredient, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing ischemic disorders, comprising a midkine family protein as an active ingredient, are provided. Midkine is efficacious in treating or preventing ischemic disorders and cytopathy caused by ischemia and can remarkably prevent, for example, the development of cerebral infarction, a representative of ischemic brain disorders. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is also efficacious against, for example, cerebral ischemic disorders such as cerebrovascular-spasm following a subarachnoid hemorrhage, Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia of Alzheimer's type, and cerebrovascular senile dementia, as well as cerebral ischemia, transient cerebral ischemic disease, and head trauma, and other cerebrovascular diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, and amyotrophic regressive disorders.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of ADNF polypeptides in the treatment of anxiety and/or depression. The present invention also relates to drug discovery assays using the ADNF polypeptide mechanism of action and target interaction, as well as the manufacture of medicaments, methods of application and formulation therefor. Embodiments of the invention provide methods for preventing and/or treating anxiety and depression disorders in a subject by administering a NAP, an 8-amino-acid peptide derived from Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor (ADNF III), in an amount sufficient to improve postnatal performance. The ADNF polypeptides include ADNF I and ADNF III (also referred to as ADNP) polypeptides, analogs, subsequences, and D-amino acid versions (either wholly D-amino acid peptides or mixed D- and L-amino acid peptides), and combinations thereof which contain their respective active core sites and provide neuroprotective and anti-anxiety functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing regeneration and/or repair of neural tissue. One method include providing a nanoscale structured material at the site of injury, wherein the nanoscale structured material provides an environment that is permissive for regeneration of neural tissue and allows axon growth from a location on one side of a site of injury or barrier to a location on the other side of the site of injury or barrier. A second method includes introducing a composition comprising self-assembling peptides into the subject at the site of injury, wherein the peptides are amphiphilic peptides that comprise substantially equal proportions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids and are complementary and structurally compatible. A variety of compositions comprising a nanoscale structured material or precursor thereof, and an additional substance such as a regeneration promoting factor, are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system that is directed to the local delivery of growth factors to the mammalian CNS to treat CNS disorders associated with neuronal death and/or dysfunction is described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating diseases associated with loss of neuronal function are described. The methods are designed to promote proliferation, differentiation, migration, or integration of endogenous progenitor stem cells of the central nervous system (CNS). A therapy, such as an electrical signal or a stem cell enhancing agent, or a combination of therapies, is applied to a CNS region containing endogenous stem cells or a CNS region where the endogenous stem cells are predicted to migrate and eventually reside, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In general, the invention features substantially purified MANF and substantially purified nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also features a pharmaceutical composition that includes MANF and a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, methods for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, methods for improving dopaminergic neuronal survival during or following cell transplantation, methods for production of neurons for transplantation, and methods for identifying compounds that modulate or mimic MANF's biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound comprising the third Immunoglobulin (Ig3) module, and/or the fourth Immunoglobulin (Ig4) module, and/or the fifth immunoglobulin (Ig5) module, and/or the first Fibronectin III (Fn3,1) module, and/or the second Fibronectin III (Fn3,2) module of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), or a fragment, or a variant thereof, capable of interacting with an Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) receptor and/or Adenosine-Tri-Phosphate (ATP) and/or L1, and thereby the compounds are capable of inducing differentiation, modulating proliferation, stimulate regeneration, neuronal plasticity and/or survival of cells. Further, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound, a process of producing a pharmaceutical composition and the use of said compound.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to treatment of neuronal injury. In particular, the invention is directed to reducing axonal retraction (“dieback”) that occurs as a result of the interaction of activated macrophages with dystrophic axons that are produced during nervous system acute or chronic injury. The invention is also directed to promoting axonal growth/regeneration. The invention is specifically directed to using stem cells or their secreted cellular factors, such as would be produced in conditioned cell culture medium, to ameliorate or prevent axonal dieback and/or promote growth/regeneration of axons.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of ADNF polypeptides in the treatment of laser-induced retinal damage and related conditions.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumor associated diseases by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) where the expression reduces the symptoms of the disease and compositions for mediation of enrichment-induced tumor resistance having brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides an ADNF polypeptide comprising an active core site, the active core site comprising at least one D-amino acid. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ADNF polypeptide comprising an active core site, the active core site comprising at least one D-amino acid. In particular, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is orally active. The invention further provides methods for reducing neuronal cell death, methods for reducing oxidative stress, and methods for reducing a condition associated with fetal alcohol syndrome using the ADNF polypeptides and the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment methods and methods for sustained delivery of one or more exogenous factors to desired nervous system sites. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of biodegradable microspheres to deliver exogenous factors, such as the morphogenic factor, sonic hedgehog (Shh), to the site of spinal cord injury. In certain embodiments, the Shh-releasing microspheres are administered together with stem cells, which may be spinal cord neural stem cells. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to regrowth of neural cells in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating a subject suffering from a neuropsychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia). The methods include systemic administration of a pharmacological composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of a PAK activator.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating or effecting prophylaxis of a patient having or at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety in which an effective regime of an agent that inhibits specific binding of PSD95 to an NMDA receptor is administered to a patient.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human neurotrophic growth factor designated enovin and having the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1, 21, 23 or 24 or encoding a functional equivalent, derivative or bioprecursor of said growth factor. The growth factor preferably comprises the amino acid sequence from position 27 to 139 of the sequence illustrated in FIG. 1, or a functional equivalent, derivative or bioprecursor thereof. The nucleic acid molecule encoding enovin can be used to transform a host cell, tissue or organism by including it in an appropriate vector. The host cell, tissue or organism and the vector also form part of the invention.

Abstract: Methods of identifying gene targets associated with schizophrenia or the symptoms thereof, as well as to specific nucleic acid molecules that have been discovered to be associated with schizophrenia are provided. Accordingly, the invention also relates to methods of modulating schizophrenia or the symptoms thereof, methods of diagnosing schizophrenia or the symptoms thereof, methods for predicting the susceptibility to schizophrenia or the symptoms thereof, and methods of identifying compounds that modulate schizophrenia or the symptoms thereof via manipulations of the nucleic acid molecules and their products.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for delivering a polypeptide to the central nervous system of a mammal via intranasal administration are provided. The polypeptide can be a catalytically active protein or an antibody, antibody fragment or antibody fragment fusion protein. The polypeptides are formulated with one or more specific agents.

Abstract: Novel compounds which are antagonists or inverse agonists at one or more of the opioid receptors, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation.

Abstract: The invention provides cell-permeable peptides that selectively block the branch of the JNK signaling pathway controlled by the islet-brain (IB) proteins. The provided cell-permeable peptides block the binding of intermediate kinases in the c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, thereby decreasing the downstream effects of c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to use of an agent capable of upregulating the Vps10p-domain receptor SorLA. In particular, the present invention relates to use of CTGF and/or BDNF and/or fragments and/or variants thereof for the inhibition of plaque formation thereby being useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease or other disorders associated with elevated of amyloid beta or amyloid plaque.

Abstract: Pantropic neurotrophic factors which have multiple neurotrophic specificities are provided. The pantropic neurotrophic factors of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the pantropic neurotrophins are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controlling the release of growth factors for the promotion of angiogenesis. The growth factors or a polymer matrix are modified by photoactive compounds, such that the growth factors are not released into an active form until they are irradiated with light. The disclosure also relates to tissue engineering scaffolds comprising one or more polymers and at least two growth factors.

Abstract: A method and system that is directed to the local delivery of growth factors to the mammalian CNS to treat CNS disorders associated with neuronal death and/or dysfunction is described.

Abstract: A peptidomimetic agent from dextrorotatory amino acids includes vGek with Dval-gly-Dglu-Dlys as a central D-amino acid sequence, whereby gly is equal to D-glycine, which is equal to L-glycine. Pharmaceutical agents for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy Body dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, as well as Huntington's Chorea disease, multi-system atrophy as well as disorders similar to these neurodegenerative diseases that contain at least one peptidomimetic agent from dextrorotatory amino acids are also included.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for treating a patient who has a neurological deficit. The method can be carried out, for example, by contacting (in vivo or in culture) a neural progenitor cell of the patient's central nervous system (CNS) with a polypeptide that binds the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and directing progeny of the proliferating progenitor cells to migrate en masse to a region of the CNS in which they will reside and function in a manner sufficient to reduce the neurological deficit. The method may include a further step in which the progeny of the neural precursor cells are contacted with a compound that stimulates differentiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide methods for therapeutic use of cyclic G-2-allylProline (cG-2-allylP) to treat peripheral neuropathies, including toxin-induced peripheral neuropathy and diabetic as well as manufacture of medicaments including tablets, capsules, and other orally active compositions containing cG-2-allylP, as well as injectable solutions that are useful for treatment of such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for stimulating the proliferation of cardiomyocytes for enhancement of cardiac repair. The invention is based on the discovery that upon contact with stem cells, or conditioned media derived from said stem cells, terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes can be stimulated to enter the cell cycle. Additionally, scaffolds capable of attracting stem cells to the area of implantation have been shown to induce cardiomyocyte proliferation. The present invention further relates to the discovery that the Wnt-5A ligand, which binds to the frizzled receptor (fz), functions to stimulate cardiomyocyte proliferation. The methods and compositions of the invention may be used in the treatment of cardiac disorders including, but not limited to, myocardial dysfunction or infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) protein and gene and is, in particular, directed to a novel splice variant of GDNF protein, which is encoded by a novel splice variant pre-(?)pro-GDNF, and secreted under biological regulation.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the binding between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and neuronal proteins in a neuron the method comprising administering to the neuron an effective inhibiting amount of a peptide replacement agent for the NMDA receptor or neuronal protein interaction domain that effect said inhibition of the NMDA receptor neuronal protein. The method is of value in reducing the damaging effect of injury to mammalian cells. Postsynaptic density-95 protein (PSD-95) couples neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) to pathways mediating excitotoxicity and ischemic brain damage. This coupling was disrupted by transducing neurons with peptides that bind to modular domains on either side of the PSD-95/NMDAR interaction complex. This treatment attenuated downstream NMDAR signaling without blocking NMDAR activity, protected cultured cortical neurons from excitotoxic insults and dramatically reduced cerebral infarction volume in rats subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the delivery of a protein of interest are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are cell guidance tubes and methods for their use.

Abstract: To provide a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases (such as polyglutamine diseases), the agent containing an HMGB family protein or a derivative thereof, such as a protein according any one of (a) and (b) below: (a) a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6 or 8; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence resulting from deletion, substitution, addition or insertion of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6 or 8 and having binding activity to an abnormal polyglutamine protein produced in a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for in vivo delivery of a composition into the human or animal central nervous system or spinal cord, wherein the composition comprises a non-toxic, proteolytic fragment of tetanus toxoid in association with at least a molecule having a biological function, and said molecule is capable of in vivo retrograde axonal transport and transynaptic transport into the CNS or spinal cord of the human or animal. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises a fragment C and a fragment B of tetanus toxoid or a fraction thereof of at least 11 amino acid residues. The composition can further comprise a fraction of fragment A of tetanus toxoid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for sustained release of a pharmaceutically active compound, the composition comprising a vesicular phospholipid gel. More particularly, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one proteinaceous substance as the pharmaceutically active compound in encapsulated form, the at least one proteinaceous substance being a biologically active protein, peptide or polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for the production of said pharmaceutical composition comprising dual asymmetric centrifugation and to the use of said pharmaceutical composition for immunotherapy and/or for stimulating selective tissue regeneration in the treatment of surgical defects in the course of surgical interventions.