Many forms of neurodegenerative disease, for instance Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, Hallervorden Spatz syndrome and macular degeneration, are associated with elevated levels of redox active metals in the brain and eye. A logical therapeutic approach therefore, is to remove the toxic levels of these metals, copper and iron in particular, by selective chelation. The increased number of iron-selective chelators now available for clinical use has enhanced interest in this type of therapy. This review summarises the recent developments in the design of chelators for treatment of neurodegenerative disease, identifies some of the essential properties for such molecules and suggests some future strategies.