Multifunctional compounds are provided, comprising two or more functional moieties selected from: (i) a moiety that imparts an iron chelator function； (ii) a moiety that imparts a neuroprotective function； (iii) a moiety that imparts combined antiapoptotic, neuroprotective and/or neurorestorative functions； (iv) a moiety that imparts brain MAO inhibition, preferably with little or no MAO inhibition in liver and small intestine； (v) a moiety that imparts cholinesterase inhibitory function； and (vi) a moiety that imparts an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) inhibition, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and optical isomers thereof. The multifunctional compounds are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases, disorders or conditions that can be prevented and/or treated by iron chelation therapy, and/or neuroprotection and/or neurorestoration, and/or apoptosis inhibition and/or MAO inhibition and/or cholinesterase inhibition and/or NMADR inhibition. The present invention encompasses compounds of the formulas I to VI.
