A method is provided for treating a patient in need of therapy for a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to that patient a therapeutically effective dose of a lipid glyceride comprising a glycerol moiety and a fatty acid moiety, the fatty acid moiety being selected from the group consisting of γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid characterized in that the selected fatty acid moiety is attached to the glycerol moiety at its sn-2 position. Preferably the method is that wherein the lipid is administered for a duration and at a dose sufficient to maintain or elevate TGF-β1 levels in the patient to therapeutic levels.