Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.

Cambridge Neuroscience, Inc.

Olivia Bermingham-McDonogh

Mark Andrew Marchionni

Nagesh K Mahanthappa

David I Gwynne

Stanley M Goldin

Thomas A Reh

Robert N McBurney

Kathryn L McCabe

In general, the present invention provides methods for promoting the function of retinal cells using neuregulins. A novel aspect of the invention involves the use of neuregulins as growth factors tp promote survival of retinal cells. Treating of the retinal cells to provide these effects may be achieved by contacting retinal cells with a polypeptide described herein. The treatments may be provided to slow or halt net cell loss or to increase the amount or quality of retinal tissue present in the vertebrate.

Methods of treating disorders of the eye

The present invention relates to methods of affecting cellular communication in a vertebrate. The communication is affected by the administration of a neuregulin to a vertebrate, where the neuregulin interacts with a first cell type which results in the production of a product (i.e., Product A). This product, in turn, affects the function of a second cell type. Methods are disclosed in which the affect in function of the second cell type, described above, results in the production of a second product (i.e., Product B) which, in turn, can affect the function of the first cell type or a third cell type. Additional methods are included for treatment of disorders involving an altered or inadequate level of production of a product involved in cellular communication.

Use of neuregulins as modulators of cellular communication

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Watertown, MA, United States of America

Olivia Bermingham-McDonogh