To reduce apoptosis and neurological deficits after stroke, novel pharmacological approaches are needed to increase the capacity for regeneration and recovery in the CNS.28 In the present study, we examined the efficacy of peptide-based CASP6 or CASP8 inhibitors in abrogating the neurodegeneration associated with cerebral or retinal ischemia. The gene discussed is CASP8; the disease is retinal ischemia.