Methods for deterring microglia-mediated neurotoxicity in a human or non-human animal subjects comprising the step of inhibiting or blocking the intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel Kv1.3 in microglia, such as in subjects how suffer from neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease) or ischemic/anoxic/hypoxic conditions. The inhibition or blocking of the KCa1.3 channels may be accomplished by administering a substance that inhibits Kv1.3 in microglia. Examples of Kv1.3 inhibiting substances include certain 5-phenoxyalkoxypsoralens, such as (4-Phenoxybutoxy)psoralen (PAP-1) as well as certain 4-phenoxybutoxy-substituted heterocyclic compounds.
