(1) Temporal protease activity profiles post eMCAO and (2) given protease specificities of IPC1755 and sitagliptin implicate that early inhibition of membrane-bound DPIV (by IPC1755 or sitagliptin), APN and/or cAAP (by IPC1755) induces anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in the penumbra surrounding the infarct core and supports long-term neuronal survival after cerebral ischemia. Here, ANPEP is linked to Cerebral ischemia.