In particular, trans-2-decenoic acid ethyl ester (DAEE: C12H22O2 = 198.30: Figure 1) has the most potent activity among these compounds, and causes the activation of intracellular signal molecules other than ERK1/2 such as Akt and cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor, suggesting that DAEE has neurotrophin-like activities on neurons and thus may be a promising therapeutic tool for certain neurological disorders including cerebral infarction. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is brain infarction.