Human Antibodies and Specific Binding Sequences Thereof for use in Stroke and Ischemia or Ischemic Conditions

An isolated human IgM antibody or fragment thereof which specifically binds neurons and protects neurons from cell death and which does not promote remyelination, wherein the antibody or fragment comprises the following sequence:

• (a) the variable heavy chain amino acid CDR domain sequences CDR1 GGSVSLYY (SEQ ID NO:31), CDR2 GYIYSSGST (SEQ ID NO:32) and CDR3 ARSASIRGWFD (SEQ ID NO:33), and light chain CDR sequences CDR1 QSISSY (SEQ ID NO:
• 34), CDR2 AAS (SEQ ID NO:35) and CDR3 QQSYHTPW (SEQ ID NO:36), as set out in FIG. 5;
• or
• (b) the variable heavy chain amino acid CDR domain sequences CDR1 GFTFSTYA (SEQ ID NO:
• 37), CDR2 INVGGVTT (SEQ ID NO:38) and CDR3 VRRSGPDRNSSPADF (SEQ ID NO:39), and light chain CDR sequences CDR1 QGIG (SEQ ID NO:
• 40), CDR2 TTS (SEQ ID NO:41) and CDR3 QKYNSAPRT (SEQ ID NO:
• 42), as set out in FIG. 6, for use in treating or ameliorating cerebral ischemia or stroke, improving neural function in an animal after stroke or cerebral ischemia, or in protecting neurons or neural cells from damage or cell death after stroke or cerebral ischemia.