The timing of the activation of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (1–4 h post status epilepticus) is broadly consistent with the release of apoptogenic molecules from mitochondria; cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor are released between 1 and 4 h after status epilepticus (Henshall et al., 2000; Murphy et al., 2007; Engel et al., 2010a; Zhao et al., 2010). This evidence concerns the gene BCL2 and status epilepticus.