IP Library Granted Patent US 7,714,170
Granted Patent B2
US 7,714,170 · App. 12/329,811 · Granted May 11, 2010

Use of compounds and compositions for the treatment of amyloid diseases

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,714,170
App. No.
12/329,811
Granted
May 11, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially Aβ amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, use in the reduction of Aβ peptide in vivo, use in modulating APP processing, and use in modulating the activity of APP secretase.

Claims (115)

1. A method of reducing in vivo accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) comprising treating the protein with an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis (3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dibydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis (3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine-2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1) and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

2. The method of claim 1 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable tetraesters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

3. The method of claim 1 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine-2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

4. A method of reducing in vivo accumulation of a beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) comprising treating the protein with an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine-2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1)and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

5. A method of reducing beta-amyloid protein in a disease characterized by beta-amyloid protein accumulation comprising administration of an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl) -1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl-amide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1)and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

6. The method of claim 5 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable tetraesters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

7. The method of claim 5 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy -phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

8. A method of reducing beta-amyloid protein in a disease characterized by beta-amyloid protein accumulation comprising administration of an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl) -1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl-amide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1)and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

9. The method of claim 8 where the beta-amyloid protein disease is selected from the group of diseases consisting of; Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, congophilic angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage of the Dutch type, inclusion body myositosis, dementia pugilistica, cerebral β-amyloid angiopathy, dementia associated with progressive supranuclear palsy, dementia associated with cortical basal degeneration and mild cognitive impairment.

10. The method of claim 9 where the beta-amyloid protein disease is Alzheimer's disease.

11. A method for modulating APP processing comprising administration of an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl -2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl) -1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline -3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9, 10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1) and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

12. The method of claim 11 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable tetraesters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

13. The method of claim 12 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl -2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy -phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl-amide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

14. A method for modulating APP processing comprising administration of an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl -2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy -phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1) and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

15. A method for modulating activity of APP secretases comprising administration of an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl -2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy -phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy -phenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine -2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1) and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

16. The method of claim 15 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable tetraesters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

17. The method of claim 15 where the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl -2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy -phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine-2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][ 2 , 7 ]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(2) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof; and

(3) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) and (2).

18. A method for modulating activity of APP secretases comprising administration of an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:

(1) compounds of the formula:

where:

R is a C 1 -C 10 alkylene group, in which, when the number of carbon atoms is at least 2, there are optionally 1 or 2 non-adjacent double bonds; 1 to 3 non-adjacent methylene groups are optionally replaced by NR′ (where R′ is H, alkyl, or acyl), O, or S; and 1 or 2 methylene groups are optionally replaced by a carbonyl or hydroxymethylene group;

(2) the compounds that are:

3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydesoxybenzoin; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane; 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl -2-pyrazoline; 4,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-cyano-2-methylpyridine; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)proline 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 3,4-dihydroxy -phenethylamide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanone; 3,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidinone; 2,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-tropinone; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)methane; α-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl amide; 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylaminomethylene)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxazolin-5-one; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)piperazine; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl) -2,5-diaza[2.2.1]bicycloheptane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; N,N′-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-cis-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine; 3,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,4-dimethyl-2,5-diketopiperazine; N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)proline-3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)butane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)benzene; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)pyridine; 2,5-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)thiophene; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane; 3,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.3.0]octane; 2,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,7,7-trimethyl -bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)ethane; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)propane; trans-1,2-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)cyclopentane; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropylamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenoxyacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid p-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid o-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)anilide; 2,6-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)pyridine; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyanilide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide; 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide; oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl-amide); oxalic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); succinic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxyanilide); maleic acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxy-anilide);fumaric acid bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzylamide); bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)amine; 1,3-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)urea; 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy -phenethyl)urea; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)aminoepicatechin; 3-deoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)aminoepicatechin; 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydroacridine; 10-aminoanthracene-1,2,7,8-tetraol; acridine-1,2,6,7-tetraol; phenoxazine-2,3,7,8,10-pentaol; dibenzo[c,f][2,7]napthyridine-2,3,10,11-tetraol; and 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,10,11-triol;

(3) the methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the compounds of (1) and (2); and

(4) the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of (1) to (3).

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the secretase is alpha secretase.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the secretase is beta secretase.

21. The method of claim 18 where an amount of the pharmaceutical composition is administered between 0.1 mg/Kg/day and 1000 mg/Kg/day.

22. The method of claim 18 where an amount of the pharmaceutical composition is administered between 1 mg/Kg/day and 100 mg/Kg/day.

23. The method of claim 18 where an amount of the pharmaceutical composition is administered between 1 mg/Kg/day and 50 mg/Kg/day.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 9, 2016
From: PROTEOTECH, INC.
To: PROTAMED, INC.
Reel/Frame 038944/0598 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2009
From: SNOW, ALAN D
To: PROTEOTECH INC.
Reel/Frame 022392/0167 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2009
From: HU, QUBAI
To: PROTEOTECH INC.
Reel/Frame 022392/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2009
From: CAM, JUDY A
To: PROTEOTECH INC.
Reel/Frame 022392/0271 →