It is assumed that amyloid-β aggregation is a crucial event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Novel 2,6-disubstituted pyridine derivatives were designed to interact with the β-sheet conformation of Aβ via donor-acceptor-donor hydrogen bond formation. A series of pyridine derivatives were synthesized and tested regarding their potential to inhibit the aggregation of Aβ. The 2,6-diaminopyridine moiety was identified as a key component to inhibit Aβ aggregation. Overall, compounds having three 2,6-disubstituted pyridine units separated by at least one C2- or C3-linker displayed the most potent inhibition of Aβ aggregation.
