Disclosed are compositions and methods for promoting survival of or axon regeneration in neurons by increasing mitochondrial motility in the neuron. Also disclosed are methods to treat neuronal injury and disease and disorders characterized by neuronal injury. Agents that increase Armcx1 activity, such as Armcx1 polypeptide or vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding Armcx1 polypeptide, are proposed for use in the methods. Pharmaceutical composition comprising the agents, and methods for identifying additional agents are also disclosed.
