This invention is directed to methods of preventing or treating neurological or neuropathic diseases or conditions associated with excessive inflammation, neurodegeneration, neuro-remodeling, and axonal / neurite retraction. Particularly, this invention relates to methods treating neurological or neuropathic diseases such as cerebral ischemia, stroke, neuropathic pain, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis, using novel rho kinase inhibitor compounds. The method comprises identifying a subject in need of the treatment, and administering to the subject an effective amount of a novel rho kinase inhibitor compound to treat the disease.