Characterizing Heparin Tetrasaccharides Binding to Amyloid-Beta Peptide.

The aggregation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is one potential cause for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Heparin can either promote or inhibit Aβ aggregation. The sulfation pattern and chain size determine its binding affinity and its role.

The effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide in neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are characterized by neuronal death in the brain. The mechanism of the neuronal death is too complicated to be fully understood, although in many NDDs, aging and neurotoxins are known risk factors. In the central and peripheral nervous system, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a 28-amino acid neuropeptide, is released to support neuronal survival in both physiological and pathological condition.