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

That said, many of these studies have small sample sizes, and while some suggest benefits such as reduced anxiety, improved cognitive function and possible neuroprotective effects, others point to inconsistent results (especially among younger subjects). —Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

These beverages possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 20 Feb. 2025

Fatty fish, like salmon, herring and mackerel, offer the most neuroprotective benefits. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 22 Jan. 2025

In fact, there has been a notable volume of research pointing to the contrary, showing caffeine seems to be somewhat neuroprotective, slowing cognitive decline in older subjects at high risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. —New Atlas, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neuroprotective

• intersubjective
• overprotective
• schizoaffective
• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive

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