JC Virus causes a fatal disease in the brain called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) that occurs in many patients with immunocompromised conditions. For example, more than five percent (5%) of AIDS patients develop PML. Additionally, these conditions include, but are not limited to, cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, organ transplants such as kidney, heart and autoimmune conditions with treatment that modulates the immune system such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Available for licensing and commercial development is a multilayered radio-frequency (RF) coil system for improving the transmit B1 field homogeneity for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at high field strengths. The current invention aims at manipulating the inhomogeneous profile of the transmit B1 field, which causes MR images to become less uniform as the magnetic field strength is increased, by utilizing an inner array of RF elements (e.g. surface coils) within and coupled to an outer transmit unit (e.g. a birdcage coil or other volume coil).

The invention is in the field of MRI, and more specifically relates to device and method that may provide great improvements in the area of interventional MRI. The technology describes an MRI detection coil that has been integrated with a parametric amplifier to provide local signal detection fully integrated with amplification. This amplification is done in a way that is inherently wireless, thus enabling efficient signal transmission. The integrated MRI detector/amplifier can be used in a number of applications.

Glutamate receptor mGluR5 has been reported to function in the brain. There were no prior reports of it being involved in melanoma. The NIH investigators have discovered that when over expressed in transgenic animals, mGluR5 induces melanoma. The establishment of an mGluR5 tumor mouse model will provide a unique opportunity to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying tumor formation, and allow the study of aggressive melanoma in animals and a screen of potential therapeutics. Such an mGluR5 tumor mouse model is established at the National Institutes of Health and is available for licensing.

This invention discloses methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases by administering cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) inhibitory peptides derived from P35, the activator of Cdk5. Abnormally hyperactive Cdk5 has been shown to be associated with a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Disclosed in this invention are isolated peptide fragments, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for use of such for treating subjects with a neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Researchers have developed a green fluorescent protein (GFP) based plasmid that can be used to detect differentiated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE is a layer of cells located behind the eye that becomes damaged in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Current cell based therapies for treating AMD focus on generating RPE cells from stem cells. This GPF-based plasmid can be inserted into growing stem cells, and the fluorescence marker can be used to detect and purify stem cells differentiating into RPE cells.

JC Virus causes a fatal disease in the brain called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) that occurs in many patients with immunocompromised conditions. The finding of JCV DNA in the patients with neurological symptoms of PML is a diagnostic criterion and is needed to confirm the diagnosis of PML to rule out other neurological conditions. Certain JC virus variants are known to have a greater association with PML. For example, "Prototype" JC virus is far more pathogenic than "Archetype" JC virus.

Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) often results from head impact and is a major cause of death and disability. Brain injuries vary in severity and can be associated with hemorrhaging, swelling, inflammation, and death of brain tissue. Inventors at NINDS developed a novel approach to treating brain injuries that involves transcranial application of small molecules.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, fatal demyelinating disease of the brain caused by the polyomavirus JC (JCV) under immunosuppressive conditions. It is pathologically characterized by progressive damage of white matter of the brain by destroying oligodendrocytes at multiple locations. Clinically, PML symptoms include weakness or paralysis, vision loss, impaired speech, and cognitive deterioration. The prognosis of PML is generally poor. No effective therapy for PML has been established.

This application describes an apparatus and method of convection-enhanced delivery of drugs into the brain and other solid tissue structures. The method involves positioning the tip of an infusion catheter within a tissue structure and supplying an agent through the catheter while maintaining a pressure gradient from the tip of the catheter during infusion. The catheter is connected to a pump which delivers the desired drug and maintains a desired pressure gradient throughout delivery of the agent.