BDNF and Stroke: Additionally, we analyzed the inflammatory response in the host, as well as the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx-4), and reelin mRNA in the ipsilateral hemispheres of the study animals, given their role in neuroprotection and recovery after stroke [46-56].