- Bilousova, Tina;
- Simmons, Bryan J;
- Knapp, Rachel R;
- Elias, Chris J;
- Campagna, Jesus;
- Melnik, Mikhail;
- Chandra, Sujyoti;
- Focht, Samantha;
- Zhu, Chunni;
- Vadivel, Kanagasabai;
- Jagodzinska, Barbara;
- Cohn, Whitaker;
- Spilman, Patricia;
- Gylys, Karen H;
- Garg, Neil K;
- John, Varghese
We report the discovery of a novel class of compounds that function as dual inhibitors of the enzymes neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Inhibition of these enzymes provides a unique strategy to suppress the propagation of tau pathology in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We describe the key SAR elements that affect relative nSMase2 and/or AChE inhibitor effects and potency, in addition to the identification of two analogs that suppress the release of tau-bearing exosomes in vitro and in vivo. Identification of these novel dual nSMase2/AChE inhibitors represents a new therapeutic approach to AD and has the potential to lead to the development of truly disease-modifying therapeutics.