2-arylbenzothiophene derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for the diagnosis or treatment of degenerative
brain disease containing the same as an
active ingredient. Since the 2-arylbenzothiophene derivatives of Formula 1 have a relatively high binding affinity for β-
amyloid, they can be used as diagnostic reagents for diagnosing Alzheimer's
disease at an early stage by non-invasive techniques when they are labeled with radioisotopes:wherein R1-R4, V, W, X, Y and Z are as defined in the Detailed Descript of the specification. Further, when the pharmaceutical composition containing the 2-arylbenzothiophene derivative binds with a low-molecular weight β-
amyloid peptide binding compound, generation of malignant high-molecular weight β-
amyloid deposits is minimized. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical composition can be used as a therapeutic agent of degenerative
brain disease such as Alzheimer's
disease.