Disulfonic stilbenes prevent beta-amyloid (25-35) neuronal toxicity in rat cortical cultures

Anion exchange proteins were recently identified among some of the proteins found clustered together in the hallmark plaques and tangles of Alzheimer's patient's brains. Anion exchange proteins underlie chloride/bicarbonate exchange, cell shape regulation and participate in removal of aged cells by the immune system. In this study we compared the neuroprotective efficacy of an anion exchanger inhibitor, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), against beta-amyloid((25-35)) neurotoxicity, staurosporine-induced apoptosis and glutamate-induced necrosis in primary cortical cultures. We demonstrate potent neuroprotective efficacy with DIDS against beta-amyloid((25-35)) and staurosporine, but not against glutamate. Our results suggest that anion exchange proteins may play an important role in beta-amyloid toxicity and that DIDS may represent a viable therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease.