| abstract |
A method is disclosed according to which neuroprotection is conferred on ocular nerve cells by administering a drug of formula (I) to the optic nerve and / or retina of a mammal in an earlier period to or continue damage to the ocular nerve cells but prior to cell death, where the 2-imidazolin-2-ylamino group could be in position 5- or 6- of the quinoxaline nucleus; x, y and z could be in any of the remaining 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-positions and be selected from hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl; and R is an optional substituent at position 2- or 3- of the quinoxaline nucleus and could be hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy. |