Tocotrienols, in particular α-tocotrienol have been shown to possess neuroprotective effect independent of anti-oxidant activity. Using cell-based studies, α-tocotrienol but not α-tocopherol was shown to prevent glutamate-induced neuronal cell death at nanomolar concentrations. Later studies showed that α-tocotrienol conferred protection against glutamate and stroke-induced neurodegeneration in rats.