The present invention is related generally to methods and compositions for identifying and quantitating particular alpha 1-antichymotrypsin species in a biological sample. More particularly, the present invention is related to methods and compositions for detecting and measuring a brain alpha 1-antichymotrypsin species that is produced in brain tissue of individuals having a neuropathological condition and which is detectable in accessible biological samples. The invention provides detection assays, such as sandwich binding assays, for detecting and quantitating brain alpha 1-antichymotrypsin in a biological sample, such as blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue. These detection assays are useful for detecting and diagnosing neuropathological diseases and for identifying cells of a human central nervous system lineage, and for other medical applications. The invention also provides binding components, such as antibodies that bind to brain alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and which have potential therapeutic and diagnostic medical imaging applications.
IDENTIFICATION OF BRAIN alpha 1-ANTICHYMOTRYPSIN AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING DISEASE BASED ON ITS DETECTION