Use of precursors of enkephalins and/or their fragments in medical diagnostics

The invention relates to the diagnosis of disease based on the presence of biochemical components in human or animal body fluids, tissues and/or biomaterials. More specifically the invention relates to the use of precursors of enkephalins and/or its fragments isolated from body fluids, tissues or other biomaterials as a marker peptide for detection of a number of diseases/disorders including diseases/disorders of the central nervous system, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, ischemia including myocardiac ishcemica, schizophrenia, disease/disorders of the immune system, diseases/conditions of pain, chronic pain, migraine, tension type headache, tumor diseases/cancer including lymphoblastic leukaemia, malignant brain tumors, adenomas, in particular human pituitary adenomas, disorders of the blood brain barrier, multiple sclerosis, inflammation, chronic arthritis, infectious diseases, bacterial and viral infections, in particular infections of Gram-positive bacteria, borna diseases virus infections, peritonitis, intoxication, AIDS, stress, trauma comprising head trauma, infarction, in particular cerebral infarction, heart and cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease, bone and skin disorders, malaria chronic/obstructive pulmonary disease and cerebral damage. The invention further provides antibodies that bind to proenkephalin and its fragments. In accordance with the invention, a kit useful for the above mentioned diagnosis is also provided.