University of Utah Research Foundation

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Duke University

Scott W Rogers

Roy E Twyman

Lorise C Gahring

Stephen Fox Heinemann

James O McNamara

A peptide containing 24 amino acid residues that binds to anti-neuronal-glutamate-receptor autoantibodies associated with Rasmussen's encephalitis and that blocks activation of the GluR3 subunit is described. Methods of making the peptide and treating Rasmussen's encephalitis are also disclosed. Autoantibodies to other glutamate receptor subunits are associated with paraneoplastic neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disease of unknown diagnosis. Methods of screening patients and of monitoring patients being treated for these disorders and syndromes are further described.

Autoantibodies to neurotransmitter receptors

Peptide for blocking autoantibody-evoked activation of glutamate

A method of screening a subject for a central nervous system disorder caused by autoimmune disease (e.g., an inflammatory seizure disorder) comprises a sample from the subject and then detecting the presence or absence of anti-glutamate receptor autoantibodies (e.g., anti-GluR3 glutamate receptor autoantibodies) in the biological sample. The presence of such autoantibodies indicates the subject is afflicted with a central nervous system disorder caused by autoimmune disease. Methods of treating such disease by reducing the number of autoantibodies available to bind to glutamate receptors in the subject are also disclosed.

Methods of detecting disorders of the central nervous system by

There is provided a simple method to identify cation channels expressed in cultured cells and to screen chemical agents for their use as agonists or antagonists to such channels. In addition, the invention assay method also provides rapid means to identify cultured cell lines which express functional ion channels. The invention assay method can readily be adapted for the low cost, automated screening of potential drug materials.

Assay for the presence, in cultured cells, of functional ligand-gated

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Scott W Rogers