CASP3 and Stroke: Caspase-3, a key apoptotic factor, has been shown to be upregulated both in experimental Imodels and human brain following stroke.29 Pharmacological inhibition of this enzyme has been found to be neuroprotective following insult.28 Caspase activation occurred up to 9 h after MCA occlusion, and that the ischemic damage could be reduced by caspase inhibitors injected up to 9 h after reperfusion.