There is a need for new and alternative therapeutics which treat neuronal inflammation with reduced side effects as compared to prior agents. The present invention addresses this through a concentration of neuron protection through neuron pre-conditioning. The present invention is directed to methods of preconditioning neurons to reduce neuronal inflammation in a subject. Such methods include a step of administering apoaequorin to a subject, wherein the subject’s neurons are preconditioned to reduce subsequent neuronal inflammation in the subject. Such methods also include a step of administering apoaequorin to a subject for reducing Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF Alpha) protein level in a subject having neuronal inflammation or susceptible to neuronal inflammation.