Patent ID: 7097998

Claim:
A method of identifying an Aβ 42 lowering agent that reduces the ratio of Aβ 42 to Aβ 40 comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a candidate Aβ 42 lowering agent which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), NSAID derivative, or NSAID analogue; (b) contacting said candidate Aβ 42 lowering agent with a biological composition that produces Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 ; (c) comparing the ratio of Aβ 42 to Aβ 40 in said biological composition contacted with said candidate Aβ 42 lowering agent to the ratio of Aβ 42 to Aβ 40 in a biological composition not contacted with said candidate Aβ 42 lowering agent; and (d) identifying said candidate Aβ42 lowering agent as a selective Aβ 42 lowering agent if a reduction in the ratio of Aβ 42 to Aβ 40 in said biological composition contacted with said candidate Aβ 42 lowering agent is observed when compared with the ratio of Aβ 42 to Aβ 40 in said biological composition not contacted with said candidate Aβ 42 lowering agent.