One aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease, comprising the step of administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of the formation of advanced glycation end products. Another aspect of the invention relates to a proteasome activity-based screening assay to select compounds which may be useful for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease, and the materials used therein. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to molecules, and methods of use thereof, which bind at or adjacent to SOD-I Trp32, including molecules that bind in a site adjacent to SOD-I Trp32 whether or not it is oxidized, for treating or preventing neurodegenerative disease.