Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuritic plaques composed of β- amyloid, the release of inflammatory molecules such as TNF-α", and severe lipid peroxidation. Although the exact mechanism responsible for causing this cascade of events is unclear, it is clear that they are interrelated and act synergistically to cause neuronal death. Recent therapeutic strategies attempt to limit the neurotoxicitiy of oxidative and immune responses through the use of antioxidant vitamins and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

To determine the efficacy of Cellect brand vitamins and Ibuprofen in performing this role, we fed mice predisposed to plaque development (J10, JAX), rodent chow supplemented with either vitamins, Ibuprofen, or both for either 4 or 7 months. Mice from two litters were sacrificed and their brains removed and analyzed for presence of inflammation (TNF-α) and β-amyloid protein. The level of TNF-α" in mice treated with supplements for 7 months was much lower than that of the control (0.046 ng/mg tissue vs 5113.38 ng/mg tissue, respectively). Analysis using light microscopy revealed that mice treated with a combination of Ibuprofen and vitamins for 7 months had the least amount of β-amyloid protein in the brain. This study indicates that a long-term diet supplemented with both vitamins and NSAIDs may help prevent the onset of the hallmark pathologies associated with AD. This work was supported by an Undergraduate Research Grant from the University of Mary Washington.