Neurodegeneration is a general term for degradation of neurons (nerve cells), including the death of neurons. These nerve cells make up a large part of the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Oxidative stress leading to neuronal damage is thought to be the cause of many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s. Glutamate toxicity could also be another cause of certain types of neuronal cell death.

Studies have shown that tocotrienols may protect the brain’s neurons against stroke-induced injuries, glutamate toxicity and oxidative damage. ^{[16, 17, 18]}

A study demonstrated that tocotrienols pass through the blood into the brain’s neurons and could confer protection against stroke-induced injuries. ^[16]

Research indicates that tocotrienols, even at low concentrations could effectively prevent glutamate-induced death of brain cells. Alpha-tocotrienol was found to be 1000 times more powerful than alpha-tocopherol in protecting the brain cells against such toxicity. ^[17]

In another study published in Neuroscience Letters in 1995, researchers found that tocotrienols were more effective than alpha-tocopherol in inhibiting oxidative damage in rats’ brain cells. ^[18]