Methods of treatment of neurological diseases by interferon antagonists

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for ameliorating or preventing neurological diseases that are caused, in part, by an increased and/or abnormal responsivity to interferon. Specifically, the invention provides a method for treating subjects suffering from or at risk for such diseases by the administration of a pharmacological preparation that antagonizes interferons' action.

1 - 17 . Cancelled  
     
     
         18 . A method of treating dementia comprising administering to a human subject in need thereof an effective amount of an interferon antagonist.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treating dementia comprising administering to a human subject in need thereof an amount of an interferon antagonist that is effective in reducing the level of bioavailable interferon in a blood sample from the subject to at most one third of a normal level of bioavailable interferon in a human blood sample.  
     
     
         20 . A method of treating Alzheimer's disease comprising administering to a human subject in need thereof an effective amount of an interferon antagonist.  
     
     
         21 . A method of treating Alzheimer's disease comprising administering to a human subject in need thereof an amount of an interferon antagonist that is effective in reducing the level of bioavailable interferon in a blood sample from the subject to at most one third of a normal level of bioavailable interferon in a human blood sample.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dementia is a type of dementia that is associated with an accumulation of amyloid in the central nervous system of the subject.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the dementia is a type of dementia that is associated with an accumulation of amyloid in the central nervous system of the subject.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the interferon antagonist is a soluble interferon receptor, an interferon receptor fragment, or a peptide having an amino acid sequence that is derived from an interferon that occupies the receptor binding site but does not activate the receptor.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the interferon antagonist is a soluble interferon receptor, an interferon receptor fragment, or a peptide having an amino acid sequence that is derived from an interferon that occupies the receptor binding site but does not activate the receptor.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the interferon antagonist is an antibody.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the interferon antagonist is an antibody.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the interferon antagonist is a protein comprising an interferon-binding portion of an interferon receptor.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the interferon antagonist is a protein comprising an interferon-binding portion of an interferon receptor.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antagonist blocks production of interferon.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antagonist blocks production of interferon.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the amount of antibody administered is between 1 and 100 mg/kg.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the amount of antibody administered is between 1 and 100 mg/kg.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody is administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously or intravenously.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the antibody is administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously or intravenously.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the human subject has Down's syndrome.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the human subject has Down's syndrome.