neuroprotective

adjective

neu·​ro·​pro·​tec·​tive ˌnu̇r-ō-prə-ˈtek-tiv 

ˌnyu̇r-

: serving to protect neurons from injury or degeneration

neuroprotective drugs

Examples of neuroprotective in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These compounds have neuroprotective effects and may reduce cellular damage and inflammation in the neurological system, protecting against conditions like Alzheimer's disease and depression. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 July 2024

That suggests a neuroprotective effect of parenthood on brain age. —Jamie Friedlander Serrano, TIME, 15 May 2024

Thanks to their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties—possibly from CBD—hemp seeds may also help in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

Mushroom fruiting bodies provide the vast majority of the polysaccharides, beta-glucans, minerals and all the other beneficial compounds that are neuroprotective, support the immune system and make fungi so good for us. —Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neuroprotective

adjective

neu·​ro·​pro·​tec·​tive ˌn(y)u̇r-ō-prə-ˈtek-tiv 

: serving to protect nerve cells from injury or degeneration

Neuroprotective strategies involve interfering with the ischemic cascade, thereby prolonging and substantially reducing stroke size.

—Lewis B. Morgenstern et al., Scientific American Medical Bulletin

Laboratory and clinical studies with selegiline are promising, but have not yet firmly established that selegiline, or any other drug, is neuroprotective.

—Warren Olanow, The Journal of the American Medical Association

neuroprotection

-ˈtek-shən 

noun

Neuroprotection is another approach that has become important in glaucoma research. It is the use of drugs to protect optic nerve cells from taking in too much calcium, thus strengthening them against growing intraocular pressure.

—Aimee Phan, USA Today