Abstract: Neuroprotective drugs are disclosed with at least 3 branches extending outwardly from a center atom or group, each branch having a guanidino group at its terminus. All branches preferably should be identical, and distributed around the center atom or group in a radial manner. Three branches can be bonded to a nitrogen atom, or four branches can be coupled to a carbon atom; other center groups include stable aromatic, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic, or bicyclic structures. Starting reagents are disclosed with a center atom or group, and with reactive groups (such as primary amines or hydroxyl groups) at the ends of short "spacer chains" bonded to the center atom or group. Reagents derived from arginine (an amino acid having a terminal guanidino group) can be bonded to these center components, using protective groups on the arginyl reagents to ensure desired final products with accessible guanidino groups at the ends of spacer chains.