This article provides an overview of compounds based on imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, 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., β-secretase, γ-secretase, fatty acid amide hydrolase - FAAH, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 - LRRK2) and selected receptors (e.g., GABA-A, histamine H3, serotonin 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT6, dopamine D4, adenosine A2A, orexin), modes of action of imidazopyridine-based ligands and their therapeutic importance is discussed.
Keywords: Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine; Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine; Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine; Imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine; Neurodegenerative disorders; Neurological disorders; Sleeping disorders.
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