Disclosed are 2-aryl-6-phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as represented by the general formula (I), wherein: R1 is a phenyl or naphthyl group each of which may be optionally substituted R represents, at position 3, 5, 7 or 8 of the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, 1 or 2 substituent(s), which are identical to or different from one another, chosen from halogen or alkyl and wherein the remaining substituents are as defined herein. Representative compounds include those such as { 3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]phenyl} methanol, { 3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]phenyl} methanol, { 3-[3-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]phenyl} methanol, 2-{ 3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-fluoroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]phenyl} propan-2-ol and { 3-[3-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl]-2,6-difluorophenyl} methanol. Further disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises a compound of formula (I) as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and also at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, cerebral traumas, epilepsy, psychiatric diseases, inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis and / or cancers.
