Prana Biotechnology Limited

Susanne Pallich

Thomas David McCarthy

Barry Ross Matthews

Kevin Jeffrey Barnham

Robert Cherny

The present invention relates to compounds which inhibit the binding of metal ions to a region in the N-terminal loop of the &#x3b2;-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 &#x3b2;-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, Znand Feions, but not Mgor Caions.

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Deer Park, Australia

Susanne Pallich