Prion protein antibodies for the treatment of alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The invention relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of impaired synaptic plasticity. The invention also relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of toxicity of Aβ oligomers. The invention also relates to a ligand capable of binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. The invention also relates to methods of medical treatment.

1 . A ligand capable of stably binding PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP, for use in treatment or prevention of at least one of Alzheimer's Disease, toxicity of Aβ oligomers, and impaired synaptic plasticity, wherein said ligand is an antibody, say, Fab, or other antigen binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A ligand according to  claim 1  wherein said ligand binds PrP at a site within amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP with an affinity value 100 nM or less. 
     
     
         6 . A ligand according to  claim 1  wherein amino acid residues 131 to 153 of PrP have the sequence GSAMSRPIIHFGSDYEDRYYREN. 
     
     
         7 . A medicament for treatment of impaired synaptic plasticity, or toxicity of Aβ oligomers, or Alzheimer's Disease comprising a ligand as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A medicament for prevention of impaired synaptic plasticity, or toxicity of Aβ oligomers, or Alzheimer's Disease comprising a ligand as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A method of treatment of impaired synaptic plasticity, or toxicity of Aβ oligomers, or Alzheimer's Disease, said method comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a ligand as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A method of prevention of impaired synaptic plasticity, or toxicity of Aβ oligomers, or Alzheimer's Disease, said method comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a ligand as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A ligand according to  claim 1  wherein said ligand comprises an antibody having at least the complementarity determining sequences (CDRs) of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     
     
         12 . A ligand according to  claim 1  wherein said ligand comprises ICSM18 antibody.