The animal model used in these studies was intended to mimic an important demographic that is at a higher risk for stroke as well as stroke severity, namely middle-aged females, where ovarian hormones such as estrogen are reduced as well as other endocrine mediators such as IGF-1, thyroid hormone and Vitamin D. In middle-aged female rats, we have shown that estrogen treatment is not neuroprotective [7], [12], however estrogen treatment coupled with IGF-1 overcomes the neurotoxic effects of estrogen in this population [12]. This evidence concerns the gene IGF1 and stroke disorder.