We have used biochemistry, molecular & cell biology and in vivo models to identify potential biopharmaceuticals and utilized a novel screening procedure for protein candidates amenable to therapeutic manipulation. Our lead biopharmaceutical is Leptin, an adipocyte hormone thought to be controling energy homeostasis, as a replacement therapy in elderly and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (patent pending). In addition, we have identified a novel protein-protein interaction in a subset of familial cases of early onset AD. This abnormal interaction between mutated Presenilin with CLIP-170  is linked to higher Abeta levels, a small peptide believed to be the culprit of the disease pathology. Disruption of this interaction in vitro can lower Abeta production and we plan to test this further.