BETA-AMYLOID PEPTIDE INHIBITORS

摘要

The present invention relates to compounds which inhibit the binding of metal ions to a region in the N-terminal loop of the beta -amyloid peptide which includes a cluster of histidine residues. In addition, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions including these compounds as the active agent, and to methods of treatment involving the administration of these compounds. The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other amyloid-related conditions. In a first aspect the present invention provides a compound which interacts with the beta -amyloid peptide in such a way that the N-terminal loop of the peptide (amino acid residues 1-15) is blocked or destabilised, thereby inhibiting the binding of one or more metal ions to at least one histidine residue within the N-terminal loop. Preferably the compound inhibits binding of Cu<2+>, Zn<2+> and Fe<3+> ions, but not Mg<2+> or Ca<2+> ions.