There is very recent evidence that the nutrient taurine can activate an intracellular receptor known as LXRalpha. Certain drugs capable of activating this receptor – not yet available clinically – are beneficial in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease, largely because they promote degradation of toxic amyloid beta protein complexes by brain microglial cells. It is proposed that high-dose supplementation with non-toxic taurine may have similar protective potential.