Methods for treatment of motor neuron diseases

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and agents useful for treating motor neuron diseases (MNDs), in particular, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods and agents for treating various physiological and pathological conditions associated with motor neuron diseases are also provided.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of preventing, stabilizing, reducing or reversing one or more symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject, an effective amount of an anti-CTGF antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as the antibody produced by the cell line identified by ATTC Accession No. PTA-6066, wherein the one or more symptoms of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is selected from the group consisting of weight loss, muscle weakness, muscle fiber (myofiber) atrophy axon demyelination and muscle fibrosis resulting from muscle denervation muscle, thereby preventing, stabilizing, reducing or reversing the one or more symptoms of ALS in the subject. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the effective amount is at least 10 mg/kg. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the effective amount is 25 mg/kg. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising administration of riluzole. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the administration of the anti-CTGF antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as the antibody produced by the cell line identified by ATTC Accession No. PTA-6066 is administered prior to the administration of the riluzole. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the administration of the anti-CTGF antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as the antibody produced by the cell line identified by ATTC Accession No. PTA-6066 is administered concurrent with the administration of the riluzole. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the administration of the anti-CTGF antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as the antibody produced by the cell line identified by ATTC Accession No. PTA-6066 is administered subsequent to the administration of the riluzole.