Abstract: The present invention includes a method of protecting or treating neural cells from degeneration comprising: identifying a neural cell in need of protection from at least one of radical oxidative stress, increased mitochondrial biogenesis, decreased intracellular protein aggregation or neurofibrillary tangles, increase of at least one of cellular NAD or ATP levels, activation of autophagy, removal of protein aggregates, prevents GSK3? or Tau protein phosphorylation, or increase neuronal plasticity; and providing the neural cell with a therapeutically effective amount of a hydralazine or active bioequivalent thereof sufficient to reduce radical oxidative stress, increase mitochondrial biogenesis, decrease intracellular protein aggregation or neurofibrillary tangles, increase of at least one of cellular NAD or ATP levels, activate autophagy, remove protein aggregates, prevent GSK3? or Tau protein phosphorylation, or increase neuronal plasticity, thereby protecting the neural cells from degeneration.