Application of H(2)O(2) increased lactate dehydrogenase activity and decreased the density of MAP-2(+) neurons in culture. Both responses were attenuated by BMP6 pretreatment.;Our data demonstrated that BMP6 prevented apoptosis induced by a high dose of Aß25-35, and inhibited rod formation induced by low dose of Aß25-35 in hippocampal neurons.;We demonstrate that presence of BMP6 either before or after H(2)O(2)-induced injury protects the cultured primary cortical cells from apoptosis.