Disclosed are novel methods for combatting diseases characterized by deposition of
amyloid. The methods generally rely on immunization against
amyloid precursor protien (APP) or beta
amyloid (Abeta). Immunization is preferably effected by administration of analogues of autologous APP or Abeta, said analogues being capable of inducing
antibody production against the autologous amyloidogenic polypeptides. Especially preferred as an
immunogen is autologous Abeta which has been modified by introduction of one single or a few foreign, immunodominant and promiscuous T-
cell epitopes. Also disclosed are
nucleic acid vaccination against APP or Abeta and
vaccination using live vaccines as well as methods and means useful for the
vaccination. Such methods and means include methods for the preparation of analogues and pharmaceutical formulations, as well as
nucleic acid fragments, vectors, transformed cells, polypeptides and pharmaceutical formulations.