Molecular pathways of programmed cell death (PCD) are activated in various neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. In these diseases, PCD might be pathogenic, and targeting it might mitigate neurodegeneration. To identify potential neuroprotective targets within the PCD machinery, the expression and activity of some of its components have been altered by genetic or pharmacological means in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases. The results of these studies have provided leads for the development of neuroprotective strategies for these progressive, disabling and often fatal disorders.