Abstract: An agent for enhancing cell survival of central nerve cells, which comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of L-serine, glycine, and fatty acid compounds thereof as an active ingredient, and a medicament for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of cerebral dysfunction which comprises said substance as an active ingredient. The substance has an action for protecting cerebral cells to suppress cell death and prolong cell life. For example, cerebral cell death caused by cerebral edema or the raise of intracerebral temperature due to cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction head injury and the like can be suppressed.