Assay for evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of agents in reducing Alzheimer's disease pathology

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treating Alzheimer's Disease by blocking CD- 40 receptor-mediated, Aβ-induced microglial cell activation with an agent. Also provided is a method of determining the therapeutic effectiveness of an agent for Alzheimer's Disease by measuring the inhibition of the interaction between the CD 40 receptor and its ligand (CD 40 L) in the presence of the agent. The present invention further provides a method of testing the efficacy of a therapeutic agent by producing a TgApp SW /CD 40 L deficient mouse and administering to the mouse the therapeutic agent to be tested and determining the efficacy of the drug in suppressing neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's Disease.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A method of treating Alzheimer's disease comprising the step of blocking Aβ-induced microglial cell activation.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  further including the step of blocking CD40 interaction with CD40L with an agent.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the agent is an antibody.  
     
     
         13 . A method of testing the efficacy of a therapeutic agent comprising the steps of: 
 producing a TgApp SW /CD40L deficient mouse;    administering to the mouse the therapeutic agent to be tested; and    determining the efficacy of the agent in suppressing pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease.    
     
     
         14 - 16 . (canceled)