Novel sulfonamide compounds useful in the treatment of conditions related to the production of beta-amyloid are described, as are routes to their preparation. The sulfonamide compounds are of the following structure, wherein R.sub.1-R.sub.3 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and/or prodrugs of these compounds and a physiologically compatible carrier. These compounds are specifically useful for inhibiting beta amyloid production, and treating Alzheimer's Disease, amyloid angiopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, systemic amyloidosis, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis of the Dutch type, inclusion body myositis, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Down's syndrome. ##STR00001##