Compounds for inhibiting beta-amyloid production and methods of identifying the compounds

摘要

Provided are compounds useful for treating diseases associated with a cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid, such as Alzheimer's disease. Also provided are methods for screening for such compounds, by measuring capacitative calcium entry in cells which optionally overexpress APP or a fragment thereof. Also provided are methods of treating or reducing the risk of developing beta-amyloid production, beta-amyloid deposition, beta-amyloid neurotoxicity (including abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau) and microgliosis associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid by administering therapeutically effective amounts of compounds which decrease beta-amyloid production and capacitative calcium entry in cells. Further provided are methods for diagnosing diseases associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid in animals or humans by administering diagnostically effective amounts of compounds which inhibit capacitative calcium entry in cells.