Amyloid Beta-induced Neurotoxicity Research Articles

Protective effect of saffron carotenoids against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells via the unfolded protein response and autophagy.

The preventive effect of saffron against Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been reported. Herein, we studied the effect of Cro and Crt, saffron carotenoids, on the cellular model of AD. The MTT assay, flow cytometry, and elevated p-JNK, p-Bcl-2, and c-PARP indicated the AβOs-induced apoptosis in differentiated PC12 cells. Then, the protective effects of Cro/Crt on dPC12 cells against AβOs were investigated in preventive and therapeutic modalities. Starvation was used as a positive control. RT-PCR and Western blot results revealed the reduced eIF2α phosphorylation and increased spliced-XBP1, Beclin1, LC3II, and p62, which indicate the AβOs-induced autophagic flux defect, autophagosome accumulation, and apoptosis. Cro and Crt inhibited the JNK-Bcl-2-Beclin1 pathway. They altered Beclin1 and LC3II and decreased p62 expressions, leading cells to survival. Cro and Crt altered the autophagic flux by different mechanisms. So, Cro increased the rate of autophagosome degradation more than Crt, while Crt increased the rate of autophagosome formation more than Cro. The application of 4μ8C and chloroquine as the inhibitors of XBP1 and autophagy, respectively, confirmed these results. So, augmentation of the survival branches of UPR and autophagy is involved and may serve as an effective strategy to prevent the progression of AβOs toxicity.

Avicularin Attenuates Memory Impairment in Rats with Amyloid Beta-Induced Alzheimer's Disease.

Amyloid-beta-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its further complications are well-established models in preclinical studies and demonstrated by many researchers. Intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ produces brain malfunction, including neurodegeneration and memory impairment. Avicularin is a bioactive flavonoid that has been found to prevent oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines. Alzheimer's disease treatment may benefit from inhibiting amyloid-beta and its related complications. Hence, by considering multiple actions of avicularin, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, we demonstrated the neuroprotective action of avicularin against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity. Aβ1-42 (1µg/µl) was dissolved in phosphate buffer solution (pH7.4) and incubated at 37°C for 3days to induce aggregation. A single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of the Aβ1-42 was given to the animals utilizing stereotaxic equipment. Avicularin was dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and treatment was given to the animals for 21days at a dose of (25, 50, and 100mg/kg, p.o.) after Aβ1-42 peptide (i.c.v.) injection. Several behavioral studies, acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, and expression of BDNF and amyloid-beta were measured. Avicularin treatment (50 and 100mg/kg) showed cognition enhancement activity in behavioral studies and could reverse the effects of amyloid beta-induced inflammatory response and excessive oxidative stress. Furthermore, the findings reveal that avicularin can halt AD progression by targeting BDNF and amyloid-beta levels in the brain, suggesting that avicularin could be used for Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Microarray analysis of verbenalin-treated human amniotic epithelial cells reveals therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a major world health problem as the population ages. There is still no available treatment that can stop or reverse the progression of AD. Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs), an alternative source for stem cells, have shown neuroprotective and neurorestorative potentials when transplanted in vivo. Besides, studies have suggested that stem cell priming with plant-derived bioactive compounds can enhance stem cell proliferation and differentiation and improve the disease-treating capability of stem cells. Verbenalin is an iridoid glucoside found in medicinal herbs of Verbenaceae family. In the present study, we have conducted microarray gene expression profiling of verbenalin-treated hAECs to explore its therapeutic potential for AD. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed verbenalin treatment significantly enriched AD-associated gene sets. Genes associated with lysosomal dysfunction, pathologic angiogenesis, pathologic protein aggregation, circadian rhythm, age-related neurometabolism, and neurogenesis were differentially expressed in the verbenalin-treated hAECs compared to control cells. Additionally, the neuroprotective effect of verbenalin was confirmed against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Our present study is the first to report the therapeutic potential of verbenalin for AD; however, further in-depth research in the in vitro and in vivo models are required to confirm our preliminary findings.

Protective effects of kaempferol, quercetin, and its glycosides on amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in C6 glial cell

알츠하이머 질환(Alzheimer’s disease)은 대표적인 신경퇴행성 질환이며, 뇌 내 amyloid beta (Aβ) 축적에 의한 산화적 스트레스 및 염증반응은 대표적인 AD의 원인으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 kaempferol (K), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (KG), quercetin (Q) 및 quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside (QG)와 같은 4가지 flavonoids 의 C6 신경교세포에서 Aβ로 인한 신경독성으로부터의 보호 효능을 살펴보고자 하였다. C6 신경교세포에 Aβ를 처리하였을 때세포 생존율이 감소한 반면, 4가지 flavonoids 중에서 Q와 QG의 처리 시 세포 생존율 증가를 통해 신경교세포 보호 효과를 확인하였다. 또한, Aβ를 처리한 control군의 경우 reactive oxygen species (ROS) 생성을 유도한 반면, flavonoids의 처리 시 ROS생성이 감소하였다. 특히 Aβ를 처리한 control군은 133.39%의 ROS 생성을 나타내었으며, 1 μM의 KG와 QG를 각각 처리시107.44, 113.10%의 수치를 나타내어 ROS 생성 감소를 확인하였다. Flavonoids의 Aβ에 대한 신경교세포 보호 기전을 확인하기 위해 염증 관련 단백질 발현을 측정하였다. Aβ로 신경독성이 유도된 control군은 염증 관련 단백질 발현이 증가하였다. 그러나, flavonoids를 처리한 군의 경우 염증 매개 인자인 inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-1β의 발현 감소를 확인하였다. 특히, KG와 QG를 처리한 군은 aglycone 형태인 K와 Q를 처리한 군에 비해 효과적으로 염증매개 인자 발현을 감소시켰다. 본 연구는 flavonoids의 일종인K, Q와 그 배당체인 KG, QG의 Aβ로 신경독성이 유도된 신경교세포에서 산화적 스트레스 및 염증반응 조절을 통한 보호 효과를 나타냄을 알 수 있었으며, 이들 생리활성성분은 AD 예방 및 치료 소재로써의 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Protective effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in C6 glial cells

Protective effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in C6 glial cells

Neuroprotective efficacy of thymoquinone against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cholinergic neurons

The natural antioxidant Thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant ingredient in the curative plant Nigella sativa seed's oil. An extensive number of studies have revealed that TQ is the most active and most responsible component for the plant's pharmacological properties. It has been documented in several studies that TQ has a wide range of protective activities and many neuropharmacological attributes. Amyloid beta (Aβ) is the major role player peptide in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our current study has been implemented to explore the protective possibilities of TQ on Aβ1–42 -induced neurotoxicity. To test TQ's effect we used cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cholinergic neurons. The obtained results showed that Aβ1–42 caused cell death and apoptosis, which was efficiently attenuated by the co-treatment of TQ. Moreover, TQ restored the decrease in the intracellular antioxidant enzyme glutathione levels and inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species induced by Aβ1–42. Furthermore, using the fluorescent dye FM1–43 we demonstrated that TQ was able to reduce synaptic toxicity caused by Aβ1–42. Thus, the findings of our study suggest that TQ holds a neuroprotective potential and could be a promising therapeutic agent to reduce the risk of developing AD and other disorders of the central nervous system.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 protects PC12 cells from amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, transformation and death. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP1) has an inhibitory effect on the p38MAPK and JNK pathways, but it is unknown whether it plays a role in Aβ-induced oxidative stress and neuronal inflammation. In this study, PC12 cells were infected with MKP1 shRNA, MKP1 lentivirus or control lentivirus for 12 hours, and then treated with 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 μM amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42). The cell survival rate was measured using the cell counting kit-8 assay. MKP1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA expression levels were analyzed using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. MKP1 and phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression levels were assessed using western blot assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using flow cytometry. Superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels were evaluated using the colorimetric method. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was measured using a microplate reader. Caspase-3 expression levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method. MKP1 overexpression inhibited Aβ-induced JNK phosphorylation and the increase in ROS levels. It also suppressed the Aβ-induced increase in TNF-α and IL-1β levels as well as apoptosis in PC12 cells. In contrast, MKP1 knockdown by RNA interference aggravated Aβ-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and cell damage in PC12 cells. Furthermore, the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 abolished this effect of MKP1 knockdown on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Collectively, these results show that MKP1 mitigates Aβ-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway, thereby playing a neuroprotective role.

Neuroprotective effects of LMW and HMW FGF2 against amyloid beta toxicity in primary cultured hippocampal neurons

Basic Fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is important in development and maintenance of central nervous system function. Studies have demonstrated that low molecular weight (LMW) FGF2 is a neuroprotective factor against various insults in vivo and in vitro. In the present study we investigated the neuroprotective effects of high molecular weight (HMW) and LMW FGF2 against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity. The results showed that both LMW and HMW FGF2 attenuated the amyloid beta toxicity in the primary cultured hippocampal neurons as measured by WST and LDH release assay. Moreover, the analysis suggested that HMW FGF2 had stronger neuroprotective effect than LMW FGF2. We then demonstrated that LMW and HMW FGF2 activated the ERK and AKT signaling pathways in a similar way. Furthermore, using the ERK inhibitor and AKT inhibitor, we found that the AKT signaling but not ERK signaling pathway was required for the neuroprotective effects of FGF2. Taken together, these results showed the neuroprotective effects of different forms of FGF2 in an AD model and the mechanism underlying the neuroprotection.

High molecular weight of polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity.

BackgroundHericium erinaceus (HE) is a well-known mushroom in traditional Chinese food and medicine. HE extracts from the fruiting body and mycelia not only exhibit immunomodulatory, antimutagenic and antitumor activity but also have neuroprotective properties. Here, we purified HE polysaccharides (HEPS), composed of two high molecular weight polysaccharides (1.7 × 105 Da and 1.1 × 105 Da), and evaluated their protective effects on amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.MethodsHEPS were prepared and purified using a 95 % ethanol extraction method. The components of HEPS were analyzed and the molecular weights of the polysaccharides were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The neuroprotective effects of the polysaccharides were evaluated through a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and an MTT assay and by quantifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) of Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in cells.ResultOur results showed that 250 μg/ml HEPS was harmless and promoted cell viability with 1.2 μM Aβ treatment. We observed that the free radical scavenging rate exceeded 90 % when the concentration of HEPS was higher than 1 mg/mL in cells. The HEPS decreased the production of ROS from 80 to 58 % in a dose-dependent manner. Cell pretreatment with 250 μg/mL HEPS significantly reduced Aβ-induced high MMPs from 74 to 51 % and 94 to 62 % at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Finally, 250 μg/mL of HEPS prevented Aβ-induced cell shrinkage and nuclear degradation of PC12 cells.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that HEPS exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in neurons.

Cyanidin suppresses amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced oxidative stress is a major pathologic hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Cyanidin, a natural flavonoid compound, is neuroprotective against oxidative damage-mediated degeneration. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of cyanidin pretreatment against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, and explored the underlying mechanisms. Cyanidin pretreatment significantly attenuated Aβ-induced cell mortality and morphological changes in PC12 cells. Mechanistically, cyanidin effectively blocked apoptosis induced by Aβ, by restoring the mitochondrial membrane potential via upregulation of Bcl-2 protein expression. Moreover, cyanidin markedly protected PC12 cells from Aβ-induced DNA damage by blocking reactive oxide species and superoxide accumulation. These results provide evidence that cyanidin suppresses Aβ-induced cytotoxicity, by preventing oxidative damage mediated by reactive oxide species, which in turn inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of cyanidin in the prevention of oxidative stress-mediated Aβ neurotoxicity.

Protective effects of Anthocyanins against Amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in vivo and in vitro

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in recent world, characterized by increased production of amyloid beta in the nervous system with an ultimate effect of apoptotic neurodegeneration. This study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of black soybean anthocyanins in a neurodegenerative model of amyloid beta 1–42 (Aβ1–42). Aβ1–42 was treated to HT22 cell lines or adult male rats via intra-cerebro-ventricular injection to induce neurotoxicity in these experimental models. Anthocyanins were treated 0.2 mg/kg in case of cell lines or 4 mg/kg intragastrically to adult rats to protect against Aβ-induced neurodegeneration. Assay for cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm), intracellular free Ca2+ and apoptotic cells (fluoro-jade B and TUNEL) were performed in vitro while western blot analyses were performed to the hippocampal proteins of adult rats. Our results showed that Aβ1–42 treatment reduced cell viability, disturbed the Ψm and Ca2+ homeostasis in and out of the cell, and increased neuronal apoptosis. Treatment with anthocyanins for 12 hr retained the cell viability, normalized Ψm and Ca2+ level, and decreased the neuronal cell death. In accordance, anthocyanins reversed Aβ-induced effect on protein expression of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway (Bax, cytochrome C, caspase-9 and caspase-3) and major Alzheimer's markers i.e. Aβ, APP, P-tau and BACE-1. Overall, our results showed that anthocyanins are potential candidates to treat neurodegenerative disorders like AD.

IMM-H004, a novel coumarin derivative compound, protects against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway

We have investigated the effect of IMM-H004 (7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-4-methyl-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one), a coumarin derivative, on the amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in primary culture cortical neurons and pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Our results showed that treatment with IMM-H004 markedly reduced the number of apoptotic cells after exposure to Aβ25–35 or Aβ1–42, determined by MTT, TUNEL staining and Flow cytometry. Further study indicated that IMM-H004 significantly inhibited Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis by reversing Aβ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, including MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) decrease, reactive oxygen species production, and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c. IMM-H004 can regulate the interaction between Bax and Bcl-2, decreased levels of p53 and active caspase-3 protein induced by Aβ25–35. Furthermore, IMM-H004 also reduced translocation of AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor) induced by Aβ25–35. These results demonstrated that IMM-H004 was capable of protecting neuronal cells from Aβ-induced degeneration through a mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. The results of this study lend further credence to the notion that IMM-H004 is a ‘multipotent therapeutic agrent’ that reduces toxic levels of brain Aβ, and holds the potential to protect neuronal mitochondrial function in Alzheimer’s disease.

Selective targeting of microglia by quantum dots

BackgroundMicroglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have been implicated in brain injury and various neurological disorders. However, their precise roles in different pathophysiological situations remain enigmatic and may range from detrimental to protective. Targeting the delivery of biologically active compounds to microglia could help elucidate these roles and facilitate the therapeutic modulation of microglial functions in neurological diseases.MethodsHere we employ primary cell cultures and stereotaxic injections into mouse brain to investigate the cell type specific localization of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) in vitro and in vivo. Two potential receptors for QDs are identified using pharmacological inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies.ResultsIn mixed primary cortical cultures, QDs were selectively taken up by microglia; this uptake was decreased by inhibitors of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, implicating the endosomal pathway as the major route of entry for QDs into microglia. Furthermore, inhibiting mannose receptors and macrophage scavenger receptors blocked the uptake of QDs by microglia, indicating that QD uptake occurs through microglia-specific receptor endocytosis. When injected into the brain, QDs were taken up primarily by microglia and with high efficiency. In primary cortical cultures, QDs conjugated to the toxin saporin depleted microglia in mixed primary cortical cultures, protecting neurons in these cultures against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that QDs can be used to specifically label and modulate microglia in primary cortical cultures and in brain and may allow for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to these cells.

The role of adenosine in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system manifested by cognitive and memory deterioration, a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, behavioral disturbances, and progressive impairment of daily life activities. Current pharmacotherapies are restricted to symptomatic interventions but do not prevent progressive neuronal degeneration. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are needed to intervene with these progressive pathological processes. In the past several years adenosine, a ubiquitously released purine ribonucleoside, has become important for its neuromodulating capability and its emerging positive experimental effects in neurodegenerative diseases. Recent research suggests that adenosine receptors play important roles in the modulation of cognitive function. The present paper attempts to review published reports and data from different studies showing the evidence of a relationship between adenosinergic function and AD-related cognitive deficits. Epidemiological studies have found an association between coffee (a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist) consumption and improved cognitive function in AD patients and in the elderly. Long-term administration of caffeine in transgenic animal models showed a reduced amyloid burden in brain with better cognitive performance. Antagonists of adenosine A2A receptors mimic these beneficial effects of caffeine on cognitive function. Neuronal cell cultures with amyloid beta in the presence of an A2A receptor antagonist completely prevented amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that the adenosinergic system constitutes a new therapeutic target for AD, and caffeine and A2A receptor antagonists may have promise to manage cognitive dysfunction in AD.

Natural Anti-Amyloid-beta Antibodies in Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Preparation Attenuate Amyloid beta-Induced Neurotoxicity in vitro

Rationale: Natural antibodies against neurotoxic amyloid beta 1-42 (Aß42) were detected in IVIG. Accumulation of Aß42 in the brain is a key pathogenic event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study was to investigate if IVIG preparations can prevent in vitro neurotoxicity induced by Aß42. Methods: Gammagard Liquid, a highly purified IVIG, contains natural antibodies binding to different conformers of Aß. To examine the potential of IVIG to prevent Aß42- induced neurotoxicity we developed and validated an in vitro assay using pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells, and synthetic Aß42. We assessed the fibrillization state of Aß42 preparation by fluorimetric Thioflavine T binding assay, SDS-PAGE and Western Blot. The analysis of cytotoxicity was done by photometric measurement of Lactate Dehydrogenase released into cell supernatants. Results: We found that Aß42 was predominantly oligomeric and induced concentration-dependently cytotoxicity in PC-12 cells. The cytotoxic effect of Aß42 was cell-specific with neuronal cells being most susceptible. Preincubation of Aß42 with monoclonal anti-Aß42 antibodies decreased the Aß42 induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 cells. 6E10, a monoclonal antibody that shows therapeutic effects in murine models of AD, was most effective. A control murine IgG was not effective. Preincubation of Aß42 with IVIG decreased the cytotoxicity by up to 60%. The potency of different lots was comparable. A control human IgG1 antibody had no effect. Conclusions: Our data indicate that natural anti-Aß42 antibodies contained in IVIG are neuroprotective in vitro. Furthermore, different lots of IVIG should contain comparable levels of neuroprotective antibodies which is an important finding for the clinical application of IVIG.

Using model membranes for the study of amyloid beta:lipid interactions and neurotoxicity

One of the major tasks in understanding the etiopathogenesis of amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is in fully capturing the large number of the biochemical processes that influence each other during the course of the disease, in vivo. Model membranes possess, as their main strength, the ability to enable the researcher to manipulate a 'biological' micro-vesicle under a controlled environment. This review narrowly focuses on discussing the exploitation of model membranes for improved understanding of some of the mechanisms governing AD's amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity. Amyloid beta (Abeta) is cleaved from a membrane-located amyloid precursor protein by membrane-located enzymes. The relative spatial localization of the involved biomolecules within the membrane bilayer is crucial in influencing Abeta production, its aggregation on the membrane surface or insertion into the membrane, and fibril formation: all important processes in causing neurotoxicity. The lipid composition of the bilayer is similarly important. The review also attempts to highlight current and future challenges in using model membranes for studying biochemical processes.

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase activation blocks amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) pathway has been suggested to play a pivotal role in neuronal survival. Although PI3-K has been recently identified as a neuroprotectant, there are no reports regarding the effect of a direct PI3-K activator on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. We investigated whether direct PI3-K activation prevents Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. To evaluate the effect of Aβ on neuronal cells, we treated primary cultured cortical neurons with several doses of Aβ for 72 h. To investigate the protective effect that PI3-K activation has on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity, cells were simultaneously treated with several doses of a PI3-K activator for 72 h. An MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, trypan blue staining, and DAPI staining showed that Aβ decreased neuronal cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner and also that PI3-K activation effectively prevented Aβ-induced neuronal cell death. Aβ significantly decreased survival signals, including phosphorylated Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and heat shock transcription factor-1. Aβ also increased death signals, such as phosphorylated tau (pThr231) and activated caspase-3. Treatment with a PI3-K activator restored the survival signals and inhibited the death signals. These results suggest that the neurotoxic effect of Aβ can be partially prevented by PI3-K activation.