The subject invention provides a method of preventing a neurodegenerative disease in a subject or oxidative stress in the brain of a subject, comprising administering to the subject a less than cholinesterase-inhibitory amount or a less than monoamine oxidase-inhibitory amount of R(+)-6-(N-methyl,N-ethyl-carbamoyloxy)-N'-propargyl-1-aminoindan or a salt thereof effective to prevent the neurodegenerative disease or oxidative stress in the subject.