Prevention and treatment of amyloidogenic disease

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is Aβ peptide, active fragments thereof or an antibody thereto.

1 - 55 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         56 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering an antibody which binds amyloid β peptide, or to fragment thereof, thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         57 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering an antibody which specifically binds amyloid β peptide, or to fragment thereof, thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         58 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering an antibody which is targeted to amyloid β peptide, or to fragment thereof, thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to amyloid β peptide, or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope comprising the first N terminal residue of natural Aβ.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope selected from the group consisting of residues 1-5, 1-10, 1-12, 1-16, and 1-25 of Aβ.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to N-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope comprising the C-terminal amino acid of a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to the Aβ 33-42 epitope.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the antibody is 21F12.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to C-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific or bifunctional antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         70 . A method of treating a patient having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition, comprising administering an effective dose of an antibody that binds amyloid deposits or a component thereof, thereby treating the subject having disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         71 . A method of treating a patient having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition, comprising administering an effective dose of an antibody that specifically binds amyloid deposits or a component thereof, thereby treating the subject having disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         72 . A method of treating a subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition, comprising the step of administering an antibody which is targeted to amyloid β peptide, or to fragment thereof, thereby treating the subject having disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the antibody is directed to amyloid β peptide, or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope comprising the first N terminal residue of natural Aβ.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope selected from the group consisting of residues 1-5, 1-10, 1-12, 1-16, and 1-25 of Aβ.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to N-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope comprising the C-terminal amino acid of a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to the Aβ 33-42 epitope.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the antibody is 21F12.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the antibody is directed to C-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 70  or  72 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific or bifunctional antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition is mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's disease associated with Down's syndrome.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition is late or early onset Alzheimer's disease, SAA amyloidosis, hereditary Icelandic syndrome, multiple myeloma, mad cow disease, Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, sheep scrapie, mink spongiform encephalopathy, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's disease associated with Down's syndrome.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition is mild cognitive impairment (MCI), cerebral amyloid angiopathy or congiophylic angiopathy, Alzheimer's disease associated with Down Syndrome, or inclusion-body myositis.  
     
     
         87 . A method for preventing or treating a disease characterized by an accumulation of amyloid deposits in the brain of a patient, comprising the step of administering an antibody which is targeted to an amyloid β peptide, thereby reducing the level of amyloid β in the brain of the patient.  
     
     
         88 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the accumulation of an amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering an antibody which is targeted to an amyloid β peptide, or to fragment thereof, thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing accumulation of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof in the brain.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope comprising the first N terminal residue of natural Aβ.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope selected from the group consisting of residues 1-5, 1-10, 1-12, 1-16, and 1-25 of Aβ.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the antibody is directed to N-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the antibody is directed to an epitope comprising the C-terminal amino acid of a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the antibody is directed to the Aβ 33-42 epitope.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein the antibody is 21F12.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the antibody is directed to C-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein, or a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the antibody is directed to the amyloid precursor protein or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific or bifunctional antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         101 . An antibody directed to an epitope comprising the first N terminal residue of natural Aβ.  
     
     
         102 . The antibody of  claim 101 , wherein the epitope selected from the group consisting of residues 1-5, 1-10, 1-12, 1-16, and 1-25 of Aβ.  
     
     
         103 . An antibody that is free-end specific and is targeted to the fee N-terminus of amyloid β-peptide.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific or bifunctional antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         105 . A antibody directed to an epitope comprising the first N terminal residue of natural Aβ, wherein the N-terminal residue of the epitope is aspartate.  
     
     
         106 . The antibody of  claim 105 , wherein the epitope selected from the group consisting of residues 1-5, 1-10, 1-12, 1-16, and 1-25 of Aβ.  
     
     
         107 . A antibody that is free-end specific and is targeted to the free N-terminus of amyloid β-peptide, wherein the first amino acid of amyloid β-peptide of said is aspartate.  
     
     
         108 . The antibody of  claim 107 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         109 . A antibody directed to an epitope consisting of a fragment of amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         110 . The antibody of  claim 109 , wherein the epitope is within residues 1-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 25-30, 10-20, 20-30, 10-25, 1-28, 1-10, or 1-16 of amyloid β.  
     
     
         111 . An antibody that is free-end specific and is targeted to the free N terminus of N and/or C-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         112 . The antibody of  claim 109 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         113 . An antibody directed to an epitope comprising the C-terminal amino acid of a naturally occurring form of amyloid β.  
     
     
         114 . The antibody of  claim 113 , which is directed to the Aβ 33-42 epitope.  
     
     
         115 . An antibody that is free-end specific and is targeted to the free C-terminus of N- and/or C-terminus-truncated amyloid β peptide fragment.  
     
     
         116 . The antibody of  claim 115 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific antibody, an artificial antibody, a scFv antibody or a F(ab), or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         117 . A single chain or artificial antibody that is free-end specific and is targeted to the free C-terminus of the amyloid β-peptide Aβ 1-42.  
     
     
         118 . A single chain or artificial antibody that is free-end specific and is targeted to the free C-terminus of the amyloid β-peptide Aβ 1-42.  
     
     
         119 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the antibody of  claim 103  and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         120 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 64 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially or orally.  
     
     
         121 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 64 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially, orally, topically or intravenously.  
     
     
         122 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 64 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracerebrally, intranasally, orally, transdermally, buccally, intra-arterially, intaranially, or intracephalically.  
     
     
         123 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the antibody of  claim 107  and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         124 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 123 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially or orally.  
     
     
         125 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 123 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intrapertioneally, intracranially, orally, topically or intravenously.  
     
     
         126 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 123 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracerebrally, intranasally, orally, transdermally, buccally, intra-arterially, intaranially, or intracephalically.  
     
     
         127 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the antibody of  claim 111  and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         128 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 127 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially or orally.  
     
     
         129 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 127 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially, orally, topically or intravenously.  
     
     
         130 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 127 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracerebrally, intranasally, orally, transdermally, buccally, intra-arterially, intaranially, or intracephalically.  
     
     
         131 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of to antibody of  claim 115  and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         132 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 131 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially or orally.  
     
     
         133 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 131 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially, orally, topically or intravenously.  
     
     
         134 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 131 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracerebrally, intranasally, orally, transdermally, buccally, intra-arterially, intaranially, or intracephalically.  
     
     
         135 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the antibody of  claim 118  and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         136 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 135 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially or orally.  
     
     
         137 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 135 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracranially, orally, topically or intravenously.  
     
     
         138 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 135 , wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracerebrally, intranasally, orally, transdermally, buccally, intra-arterially, intaranially, or intracephalically.  
     
     
         139 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 101 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         140 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 103 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         141 . A method of treating a subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 103 , thereby treating the subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         142 . A method for eliminating, reducing the risk of, or delaying the onset of a disease characterized by amyloid deposits, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 103 , thereby eliminating or reducing the risk of, or delaying the accumulation of amyloid β peptide in the brain.  
     
     
         143 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the accumulation of an amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 103 , thereby delaying or inhibit or suppressing accumulation of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof in the brain.  
     
     
         144 . A method for preventing or ameliorating the neuropathology associated with amyloidogenic disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 103 .  
     
     
         145 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 103 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         146 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         147 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         148 . A method of treating a subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 , thereby treating the subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         149 . A method for eliminating, reducing the risk of, or delaying the onset of a disease characterized by amyloid deposits, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 , thereby eliminating or reducing the risk of, or delaying the accumulation of amyloid β peptide in the brain.  
     
     
         150 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the accumulation of an amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing accumulation of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof in the brain.  
     
     
         151 . A method for preventing or ameliorating the neuropathology associated with amyloidogenic disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 .  
     
     
         152 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 107 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         153 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         154 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         155 . A method of treating a subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 , thereby treating the subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         156 . A method for eliminating, reducing the risk of, or delaying the onset of a disease characterized by amyloid deposits, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 , thereby eliminating or reducing the risk of, or delaying the accumulation of amyloid β peptide in the brain.  
     
     
         157 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the accumulation of an amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing accumulation of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof in the brain.  
     
     
         158 . A method for preventing or ameliorating the neuropathology associated with amyloidogenic disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 .  
     
     
         159 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 111 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         160 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of claim  15 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         161 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 115 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         162 . A method of treating a subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 115 , thereby treating the subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         163 . A method for eliminating, reducing the risk of, or delaying the onset of a disease characterized by amyloid deposits, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 115 , thereby eliminating or reducing the risk of, or delaying the accumulation of amyloid β peptide in the brain.  
     
     
         164 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the accumulation of an amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 115 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing accumulation of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof in the brain.  
     
     
         165 . A method for preventing or ameliorating the neuropathology associated with amyloidogenic disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 115 .  
     
     
         166 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 115 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         167 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         168 . A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 , thereby treating the subject having Alzheimer's Disease.  
     
     
         169 . A method of treating a subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 , thereby treating the subject having a disease or disorder characterized by amyloid beta deposition.  
     
     
         170 . A method for eliminating, reducing the risk of, or delaying the onset of a disease characterized by amyloid deposits, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 , thereby eliminating or reducing the risk of, or delaying the accumulation of amyloid β peptide in the brain.  
     
     
         171 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the accumulation of an amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing accumulation of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof in the brain.  
     
     
         172 . A method for preventing or ameliorating the nuropathology associated with amyloidogenic disease, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 .  
     
     
         173 . A method for delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof, comprising the step of administering the antibody of  claim 118 , thereby delaying or inhibiting or suppressing the neurotoxicity of amyloid β peptide or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         174 . A method for sequestering Aβ from its bound, circulating form in the blood in a patient in need thereof, comprising: 
 a) administering an agent having a binding affinity for the Aβ in the blood of the patient in need thereof;  
 b) sequestering Aβ in the blood, thereby decreasing Aβ levels in the brain of the patient.  
 
     
     
         175 . The method according to  claim 174 , wherein the patient is suffering from a disease characterized by Aβ amyloid deposits.  
     
     
         176 . The method of  claim 175 , wherein the disease characterized by amyloid deposits is selected from Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease associated with Down's syndrome.  
     
     
         177 . A method of treating a patient having an amyloid deposition disease comprising the step of administering to the patient a) a therapeutically effective dose of at least one immunoglobulin polypeptide or a fragments thereof, wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof binds to an amyloid fibril; and b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 177 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof is raised against an immunoglobulin light-chain.  
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 177 , wherein binding of the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof opsonizes the amyloid fibril.  
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 177 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 180 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 180 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a chimeric antibody.  
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 182 , wherein the chimeric antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         184 . The method of  claim 182 , wherein the antibody is a labeled antibody.  
     
     
         185 . An immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof that binds to an amyloid fibril and is effective to enhance the cellular immune response of a patient to remove disease-associated amyloid fibril deposits.  
     
     
         186 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 185 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         187 . The immunoglobulin or fragment thereof of  claim 186 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         188 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 186 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a chimeric antibody.  
     
     
         189 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 188 , wherein the chimeric antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         190 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 186 , wherein the antibody is a labeled antibody.  
     
     
         191 . The immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof of  claim 185 , wherein the immunoglobulin polypeptide or fragment thereof has been raised against synthetic amyloid fibrils.  
     
     
         192 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the immunoglobulin peptide or fragment thereof of  claim 185 .  
     
     
         193 . A nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide comprising at least a hypervariable region of the immunoglobulin polypeptide of  claim 185 .  
     
     
         194 . A host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 193 .  
     
     
         195 . A method of producing an immunoglobulin polypeptide comprising the step of culturing the host cell of  claim 194.