The present invention provides a method of providing acute neuroprotection by inducing the erythropoietin (EPO) signaling pathway in neuronal cells close to or subsequent to the time of excitatory insult; and inducing an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway in the neuronal cells close to or subsequent to the time of excitatory insult, thereby producing a synergistic acute neuroprotective effect in the neuronal cells. The invention also provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of a neurologic condition in a subject by administering to the subject EPO or an active fragment or analog thereof at a dose of at most 2000 U/kg; and administering to the subject an IGF or an active fragment or analog thereof, thereby providing neuroprotection and preventing or reducing the severity of the neurologic condition. Such a method can be used to prevent or reduce the severity of, for example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, a movement disorder, HIV-associated dementia, HIV-associated neuropathy, neuropathic pain, migraine, glaucoma, drug addiction, drug withdrawal, drug dependency, depression or anxiety.