The present invention provides a method of providing neuroprotection to a mammal comprising administering to said mammal suffering from or at risk of suffering a noxious action on its nerve cells an effective amount of a compound of formula I to inhibit or prevent nerve cell injury or death wherein the 2-imidazolin-2-ylamino group is in either the 5- or 6-position of the quinoxaline nucleus; x, y and z are in any of the remaining 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-positions and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or trifluoromethyl; and R is an optional substituent in either the 2- or 3-position of the quinoxaline nucleus and may be hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and mixtures thereof. Such noxious action may result from ischemia, e.g. spinal ischemia.