The invention relates to new 2,3-benzodiazepine derivatives of general Formula (I), (wherein R1 stands for methyl, formyl, carboxy, cyano, —CH═NOH, —CH═NNHCONH2 or —NR5R6, wherein R5 and R6 independently from each other represent hydrogen or lower alkyl or together with the nitrogen atom, they are attached to, form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or more further nitrogen, sulfur and/or oxygen atom(s); R2 is nitro or amino; R3 stands for hydrogen, lower alkanoyl or CO—NR7R8, wherein R7 and R8 independently from each other stand for hydrogen, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl or lower cycloalkyl or together with the nitrogen atom, they are attached to, form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or more further nitrogen, sulfur and/or oxygen atom(s); R4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; the dotted lines have the following meaning: if R3 and R4 are not present, the bond between positions C8 and C9 is a single bond and the bond between positions C8 and N7 is a double bond; if R3 and R4 are present, the bonds between positions C8 and C9 and between position C8 and N7 are single bonds; and if R3 is present and R4 is missing, the bond between positions C8 and C9 is a double bond and the bond between positions C8 and N7 is a single bond) and salts thereof. The invention compounds have neuroprotective effect.