Beta-amyloid protein (Abeta), a major component of senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain, causes elevation of the intracellular free Ca2+ level and the production of robust free radicals. Beta-amyloid 25-35 induced apoptosis, characterized by decreased cell viability, neuronal DNA condensation, and fragmentation, is associated with an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ level, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activation of caspase-3. All of these effects induced by beta-amyloid 25-35 are reversed by genistein.