The present invention relates to 2-hydroxy-alkylamino-benzoic acid derivatives and to a combination of cell necrosis inhibitor and lithium, process for the preparation of the derivatives or the combination, pharmaceutical formulation containing the derivatives or the combination, and use of the derivatives or the combination by either concomitant or sequential administration for improvement of treatment of neuronal death or neurological dysfunction. The derivatives and the combination of the present invention are useful for treating neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease), spinal muscular atrophy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury; and for treating ocular diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.