A method for obtaining a Drosophila neurodegeneration mutant includes the steps of selecting at least one Drosophila mutant having an aberrant phenotype selected from the group consisting of temperature-sensitive paralysis and bang-sensitive paralysis; and screening the at least one selected Drosophila mutant for age-dependent neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration mutants are obtained in the method and causal mutations are characterized. The neurodegeneration mutants can be used in screening methods to identify putative neuroprotective agents.