California Institute of Technology

Other

The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Health

Huntington Medical Research Institutes

Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC

Michael G Harrington

Carl R Merril

Curtis A Roth

Kevin P Brown

Lynn E Vershum

Craig H Gendreau

Thomas Zewert

Clarence J Gibbs, Jr

Alfred N Fonteh

Gary Hsich

Kimbra Kenney

D Carleton Gajdusek

David M Asher

Kelvin H Lee

Douglas Packard

Provided herein are methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease ('AD') based on characteristic changes of the levels of certain free amino acids or dipeptides (collectively termed as 'AD diagnosis markers') in the body fluid sample of an individual, carnosine synthesis activities in the plasma, and dopamine synthesis activities in the plasma. Also provided are methods of simultaneously determining the levels of at least two free amino acids or dipeptides in the biological fluid sample of an individual.

Methods of determining levels of free amino acids and dipeptides and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease

The present invention provides methods of diagnosing migraine attacks and determining predisposition of an individual to the development of migraine based on sodium level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or brain extracellular fluid. The invention also provides methods of treating migraine, wherein the individual is selected for treatment based in the individual's sodium level in the CSF and/or brain extracellular fluid. The CSF sodium level may be based on the sodium concentration in the saliva.

Methods of diagnosing and treating migraine

This invention provides an improved assays for the detection of transmissable spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in humans and non-human mammals. The methods involve detecting the presence or absence of 14-3-3 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid from the tested organism. Elevated levels of 14-3-3 are indicative of transmissable spongiform encephalopathies, in particular Cretzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans or mad cow disease in bovines).

Method of detecting transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

This invention provides an improved assays for the detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in humans and non-human mammals. The methods involve detecting the presence or absence of 14-3-3 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid from the tested organism. Elevated levels of 14-3-3 are indicative of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, in particular Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans or mad cow disease in bovines).

A disc prosthesis for insertion between vertebrae of the spin has upper and lower members and a pivot ball retained in a socket to prevent the ball from becoming removed from the socket. Also, a shock absorbing member is fitted between the upper and lower member of the prosthesis. The upper and lower members are also vertically movable to compress the shock absorbing member and absorb shock in the spine.

Artificial disc

A two dimensional electrophoresis apparatus which includes a first dimension electrophoresis box assembly which is connected to second dimension electrophoresis box assembly to provide two dimensional electrophoresis of proteins, peptides, DNA/RNA and related materials. The apparatus is designed for use in conducting two dimensional electrophoresis where isoelectric focusing is carried out in a first dimension to provide separation of samples based on charge followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a second dimension wherein the sample bands resulting from the first dimension electrophoresis are separated according to mass. The apparatus may also be used in conducting other two dimensional electrophoresis procedures based on combinations of other gels.

Two dimensional electrophoresis apparatus

Porous plastic electrophoresis sponges having pore sizes range from 10.sup.-9 to 10.sup.-3 meters. The sponges are made from polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidine difluoride, polynitrile or polystyrene. The porous plastic sponges are commercially available and are supplied in a prefabricated form which eliminates the preparative and pouring steps required for conventional gel electrophoresis support media. The porous sponges are available in a range of pore sizes and densities for use in a variety of electrophoresis systems to separate a variety of different materials including proteins, peptides and DNA. The porous electrophoresis sponges are relatively inert and may be used with organic solvents.

Porous electrophoresis sponges

Electrophoresis support media which include one or more polymers made from hydroxy alkyl esters of acrylic or methylacrylic acid or poly (alkylene glycol) esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid. These acrylic or methacrylic monomers are polymerized or copolymerized to form electrophoresis support media which can be used in place of polyacrylamide gels, agar gels and agarose gels. The acrylic or methacrylic ester monomers may be cross-linked with various cross-linking agents to provide electrophoresis support media with a wide range of pore sizes and physical strength. The electrophoresis support media is well-suited for use with organic solvents.

Acrylic polymer electrophoresis support media

Electrophoresis support media which include one or more poly(N-Acylalkylenimine) polymers (PAEI). The polymers have the formula ##STR1## wherein m and p are between 1 and 3, n is between about 100 and 10,000, where R is an alkyl, perfluoroalkyl or phenyl group and wherein R' is H or an alkyl group. These polymers can be used in place of polyacrylamide gels, agar gels and agarose gels. PAEI polymers may be cross-linked with various cross-linking agents to provide electrophoresis support media with a wide range of pore sizes and physical strength.

Poly(N-Acylalkylenimine) electrophoresis support media

A method for distinguishing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from other causes of human dementia by analyzing the cerebrospinal fluid of patients for proteins 130 and 131. The presence of these proteins indicates the presence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

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La Canada, CA, United States of America

Michael G Harrington