| dc.description.abstract | Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that takes the lives of approximately 500,000 people per year, still lacks a definitive diagnosis and reliable treatment protocol. Oxidative stress has been shown to be a key factor associated with the molecular markers of the disease. As such, a series of N-heterocyclic amines derived from chelidamic acid have been produced to evaluate these compounds as potential therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease targeting the molecular features associated with the progression of the disease. We have shown these systems to be both antioxidant and capable of breaking apart the plaques associated with this neurodegenerative disorder. Based on the aforementioned success, this study focuses on the development of new systems based on a chelidamic acid core. My colleagues and I within the Green Research Group are interested in exploring the effects of electronic modifications to the chelidamic acid core on applications that includes the development of therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease. These chelidamic acid derivatives are characterized using X-ray crystallographic methods in order to show how the bond lengths and angles are influenced by the experimental R-groups, which possess a range of donor capacities. By comparing the structural results (bond angles and distances) from the range of proposed compounds, the influence of the varying donors on the aromatic ring can be understood. This information is critical for identifying optimal potential therapeutic agents prior to metallation. | |
