Patent ID: 7175828

Claim:
A β-amyloid modulator compound comprising a formula: A-(Y)-Xaa 1 -Xaa 2 -Xaa 3 -Xaa 4 -Xaa 5 -(Z)-B (IV) wherein Xaa1 is a D-leucine structure; Xaa 2 is a D-valine structure; Xaa 3 is a D-phenylalanine structure; Xaa 4 is a D-phenylalanine structure; Xaa 5 is a D-leucine structure; Y, which may or may not be present, is a peptidic structure having the formula (Xaa) a , wherein Xaa is any amino acid structure and a is an integer from 1 to 15; Z, which may or may not be present, is a peptidic structure having the formula (Xaa) b , wherein Xaa is any amino acid structure and b is an integer from 1 to 14; A, which may or may not be present, is a modifying group attached directly or indirectly to the amino terminus of the compound; and B, which may or may not be present, is a modifying group attached directly or indirectly to the carboxy terminus of the compound; Xaa 1 , Xaa 2 , Xaa 3 , Xaa 4 , Xaa 5 , Y, Z, A and B being selected such that the compound binds to natural β-amyloid peptides or modulates the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural β-amyloid peptides when contacted with the natural β-amyloid peptides.