Design strategies, structural insights, and biological potential of amyloid-beta inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an insidious neurodegenerative condition characterized by dementia, cognitive decline, and eventual mortality. The pathogenesis of AD is complex, influenced by multiple factors including neurotransmitter deficiencies, particularly acetylcholine (ACh) and the dysregulation of mental homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide accumulation. The latter is firmly linked to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid plaques in the cortical and hippocampal regions, which are hallmarks of the disease pathology. Recent advancements in therapeutic strategies have focused on inhibiting the amyloid-beta peptide, a key contributor to AD progression. This study explores the development of novel amyloid-beta inhibitors and their biological activities, focusing on the synthesis of radiolabeled compounds used in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, we explore the roles of crucial enzymes such as Electrophorus electricus acetylcholinesterase (eeAChE), human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE), and human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE) in the disease's neurochemical landscape. The goal of this review is to furnish the scientific community with insight into the design of innovative amyloid imaging agents. These agents are based on diverse scaffolds including flavone, pyrimidine, benzimidazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyrrole, quinoline, indanone, acridine, and peptide-based derivatives, serving as core structures for further research and development. This comprehensive evaluation not only elucidates the molecular underpinnings of AD but also propels forward the quest for efficacious diagnostic and therapeutic tools.