Methods for preconditioning and/or providing neuroprotection to the animal central nervous system against the effects of stoke, including associated cognitive, behavioral and physical impairments. Initially, a patient at risk for stroke is identified. Effective amounts of therapeutic agents are administered to the upper third of the at-risk patient's nasal cavity to bypass the blood-brain barrier and access the central nervous system directly to avoid unwanted and potentially lethal side effects. Therapeutic agents include those substances that interact with iron and/or copper such as iron chelators, copper chelators, and antioxidants. A particular example of a therapeutic agent is the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO).