A method for inhibiting the action of TNF for treating neurological conditions in a human by administering a TNF antagonist for reducing damage to neuronal tissue or for modulating the immune response affecting neuronal tissue of the human. The TNF antagonist administered is selected from the group consisting of etanercept and infliximab. The TNF antagonist is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intrathecally, or intramuscularly.Methotrexate or Leflunomide may be administered concurrently with the TNF antagonist for demyelinating diseases and certain other neurological disorders.