A monoclonal antibody that binds to the N-terminal region of Amyloid beta8-x peptide, wherein x equals amino acids residues 15-42. The antibody does not bind to Amyloid beta1-40 nor to Amyloid beta 1-42. The antibody specifically targets the parenchymal amyloid deposits of Amyloid beta 8-x in the brain and does not interact with vascular amyloid deposits. The antibodies can be used in methods for determining amyloid burden in a mammal and also for determining the susceptibility of a mammal to a disease associated with beta-amyloid formation and aggregation, such as Alzheimers disease.
