Patent ID: 6475742
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61K,G01N

Abstract:
A method of screening for an agent that inhibits the activation of a mononuclear phagocyte by complex formation of &bgr;-amyloid or active fragments of &bgr;-amyloid and the mononuclear phagocyte, wherein said active fragments at a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 10 &mgr;mole/liter induce significant reduction in neuron survival as defined by loss of neuron specific markers in neuron cultures containing microglia compared to identical cultures without the presence of &bgr;-amyloid or active fragments thereof said method comprising:contacting one or more mononuclear phagocytes with said &bgr;-amyloid or said active Moments of &bgr;-amyloid effective to form a complex and to activate said mononuclear phagocyte, and an agent suspected of inhibiting said activation, measuring ex vivo said activation of said mononuclear phagocyte in the presence of the agent, and comparing said measured activation of said mononuclear phagocyte to activation of the mononuclear phagocyte in the absence of the agent, wherein a reduction in activation of said mononuclear phagocyte in the presence of the agent compared to activation of the mononuclear phagocyte in the absence of the agent is indicative of an agent that inhibits activation of said mononuclear phagocyte by &bgr;-amyloid or active fragments thereof and further wherein said activation is measured by imaging the mononuclear phagocyte.