Oligomers of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ1-42) induce the activation of cyclooxygenase-2 in astrocytes via an interaction with interleukin-1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and a nuclear factor kappa-B mechanism in the rat brain

► Increasing information on the contribution of astrogliosis to the neurodegeneration. ► Increases expression of COX-2 in Aβ1-42 treated animals compared with control. ► Increasing information between a AD-type vascular pathology and inflammation in Aβ treated animals. ► NF-κB as signalling pathway in astrocyte dysfunction in early stage of Aβ toxicity.