Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of mostly slow proceeding or sporadically occurring diseases of the central nervous system. To this groups belong the Alzheimer- as well as prion-based diseases, both of these are characterized by the deposition of proteins. These neuronal plaques cause apoptosis of the surrounding neurons, finally leading to a degeneration of the central nervous system. Several studies showed a potency of acridine-compounds. Dimeric acridine compounds however, that are linked by a spacer, show an increased activity as compared to the monomeric derivatives. The highest activities were observed for compounds containing a 1,4-Bis-(3-aminopropyl)piperazine spacer. In this work the concept of the dimeric compounds was further developed. Different heterocycles were connected by a piperazin spacer. As heterocycles were used acridines, phenanthridines, kastellpaolitines, isoalloxazines, purines, anthraquinones, quinazolin-2-ones, diazepames and adamantanes. Furthermore the synthesis of dimeric acridine compounds was achieved, wherein the length of the spacer was varied and an additional side chain was introduced by the use of amino acids. In addition, the piperazine ring was replaced by homopiperazine or a 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid moiety. The screening of the substances for a antiprion or a antialzheimer activity was performed by FACS analysis. |