Imidazopyridine-based selective and multifunctional ligands of biological targets associated with psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases

This article provides an overview of compounds based on imidazo[1,2-alpyridine, imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine scaffolds, which act as potent ligands of diverse molecular targets localized in the central nervous system. A literature survey revealed that various imidazopyridines can be powerful modulators of several diseases associated with CNS dysfunction including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression or sleeping disorders. A description of target enzymes (e.g., beta-secretase, gamma-secretase, fatty acid amide hydrolase - FAAH, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 - LRRK2) and selected receptors (e.g., GABA-A, histamine H-3, serotonin 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT6, dopamine D-4, adenosine A(2A), orexin), modes of action of imidazopyridine-based ligands and their therapeutic importance is discussed. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.