Design and Synthesis of Disease Modifying Agents for Alzheimer's Disease

There are currently no disease-modifying therapeutics available to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). As such, onset of the disease is inevitably followed by increasing deficits in memory and worsening behavioral disturbances, eventually resulting in death. By targeting the neuropathological hallmarks of AD, i.e. aggregates of beta-amyloid peptide and intraneuronal aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau, we aim to interrupt and reverse the processes involved in neurodegeneration. A small molecule that succeeds in these goals is likely to prevent the relentless cognitive and behavioural decline in people with AD. Computer aided drug design will be used to design such an agent.