The present invention encompasses methods of using 5-phenyl-2-furan esters, amides and ketones and compositions thereof to prevent or limit neuronal death or degeneration in a human or lower animal. These methods comprise systemically administering to such human or other animal a safe and effective amount of a compound of the formula: <IMAGE> wherein (1) X is halo or hydrogen, and Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or halogen-substituted methyl, halo, nitro, amino, and methoxy; and (2) R is R1C(0)OH, R1C(0)N(R3)2, N(R3)2, OR1N(R3)2, R1N(R3)2, N(R2)R1N(R3)2, or N(R2)N(R3)2; where R1 is C1-C3 alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with C1-C2 alkyl; R2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and each R3 is, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; or both R3 groups are connected to form a saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocycle containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from oxygen and nitrogen, and said heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl or hydroxy-substituted lower alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Use of 5-phenyl-2-furan esters, amides and ketones as neuroprotective agents