A comparative QSAR analysis of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors currently studied for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Considering the relevance of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as potential agents for the treatment of the Alzheimer's disease, we have undertaken a comparative QSAR analysis aimed at individuating the physico-chemical properties governing the inhibitory activity of such compounds. The QSAR equations for 13 series of derivatives have been calculated and discussed. The series studied are all those we found in the literature suitable for a QSAR analysis and represent the three main classes of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors currently investigated, namely, physostigmine analogues, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridines and benzylamines. The equations we obtained show that, within each class, the main physico-chemical properties affecting the inhibitory activity are almost the same for all the series and can be individuated by the use of proper parameters. The conclusions of this study can be summarized as follows: (a) hydrophobicity plays a critical role in both the physostigmine-and the benzylamine-derived classes; (b) electronic effects are important for the interactions carried out by the variable portion of benzylamine derivatives; and (c) steric factors are also significant, but, as in other cases, the collinearity between steric and hydrophobic parameters does not allow one to draw any final conclusion.