The present disclosure relates to amyloid beta (Aβ) channels and the diseases and disorders caused by abnormal activity in these channels, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, inclusion body myositis, or cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The disclosure provides compositions and methods that block Aβ channel activity and/or reduce Aβ-induced toxicity in a cell. Compositions comprised of compounds having histidine coordinating capacity are used in methods to prevent, reduce, or eliminate damage caused by Aβ ion channels.