Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) injuries and neurodegenerative diseases show a broad spectrum of common pathophysiological processes, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, demyelination and neurotransmission dysfunctions. Over the past decades, valuable experimental investigations have helped to clarify the role and timing of these multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms in each of these particular disorders, which usually overlap and critically contribute to long-term disability. However, up to now, no definite cures or effective disease-modifying therapies are available for any of these conditions. This has led to an active search of novel therapeutic approaches, including the repositioning of existing drugs for new indications, as a valid approach to promptly move candidate molecules to clinical trials.