In various embodiments, compositions and methods are provided for treatment and/or prevention of amyloidogenic diseases. In certain embodiments, the methods entail administering an effective amount of a tropinol ester to a subject in need thereof for prophylactic or therapeutic effect. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In certain embodiments, methods of reducing the risk, lessening the severity, or delaying the progression or onset of a disease characterized by beta-amyloid deposits in the brain of a mammal are also provided. In certain embodiments, methods of directly or indirectly inhibiting the C-terminal cleavage of APP resulting in the formation of APP-C31 peptide and APPneo (AP-P664) in a mammal are provided.