Abstract: The invention relates to the use of 1-(aminoalkyl)-3-quinoxaline-2-one derivatives, especially 1-diethylaminoethyl-3-quinoxaline-2-one derivatives of the formula (I), where R 3 is hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy or hydrogen, or pharmaceutically compatible salts thereof, for the preparation of compounds having an antioxidant action and used for preventing or treating diseases caused by free radicals of the cellular oxygen metabolism, stimulating nerve cell growth, antagonizing glutamate receptors and/or stimulating the growth notably of glutamergic nerve cells.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are together cycloalkyl;R.sub.3 is methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, halogen;n=1, 2 or 3;or any pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful for the preparation of neuroprotective pharmaceutical compositions, for the prevention or treatment of glutamate-induced and glutamate receptor mediated neurotoxicity and functional disturbances of the central nervous system.