Abstract: One of the aspects of the invention is directed toward a method of treating or preventing acute brain or nerve injury in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of posiphen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of posiphen, to the subject in need thereof. Similarly, another aspect of the invention is directed toward a use of posiphen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of posiphen, for the treatment or prevention of acute brain or nerve injury. Preferably, the posiphen in the method or use of the invention is posiphen tartrate.