Development of tau-directed small molecule modulators for Alzheimer's disease: a recent patent review (2014-2018)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment. As this disease is becoming a serious global health issue, development of disease modifying therapeutics is urgently required. AD is characterized by deposits of two protein, amyloid β and tau. Although amyloid β-based therapeutics have been extensively investigated so far, tau has also received great attention as one of promising molecular targets for AD. In this review, a variety of tau-directed strategies to rescue tau-mediated neurotoxicity will be reviewed especially focusing on small molecules. Subsequently, recent patents published from 2014 to 2018 that integrate efforts to develop tau-directed small molecules for the treatment of AD will be reviewed.