The invention provides for methods of decreasing dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) stability in a neuron, or decreasing or inhibiting the phosphorylation of certain amino acid residues of DLK, comprising administering to a neuron, or portion thereof, an agent which decreases or inhibits the phosphorylation of DLK and decreases the stability of DLK as well as methods for inhibiting or preventing neuronal degeneration in a patient by administering to a patient an agent which inhibits phosphorylation of dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK).
