The present disclosure relates to methods for treating a neurodegenerative disorder by administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits or reduces translation of amyloid precursor protein. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer's disease or Down syndrome. Also disclosed are methods for decreasing amyloid-beta production in a subject's brain. Further disclosed is a method for restoring or maintaining iron homeostasis in a subject's brain.