Select phytoestrogen pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use for promoting neurological health and prevention of age-related neurodegeneration, such as AD, have been developed. These select phytoestrogen formulations are composed of a number of plant-derived estrogenic molecules and/or their structural analogues and exhibit binding preference to ER.beta. over ER.alpha. and agonist activity in the brain. These ER.beta.-selective phytoestrogen formulations cross the blood-brain-barrier and promote estrogen-associated neurotrophism and neuroprotection mechanisms in the brain, without activating proliferative mechanisms in the reproductive tissues and are therefore devoid of other estrogen-associated problematic aspects. The select phytoestrogen formulations are therapeutically useful to both women and men for sustaining neurological health and preventing age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. These are administered enterally, transdermally, transmucosally, intranasally or parenterally, in a dosage effective to prevent or alleviate neuronal damage, effect neuronal regeneration or sustain viability, increase expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, and/or decrease indicators of Alzheimer's Disease. The formulations preferably contain combinations of compounds, and can be formulated for daily, sustained, delayed or weekly/monthly administration. In a preferred embodiment, these are administered to women who are in menopause or post menopausal, most preferably early in menopausal.