In addition, the deletion of DAPK1 kinase domain or blocking the interaction between DAPK1 and tau by a interfering peptide TAT-repeated 1 domain, IGSTENLK (TAT-R1D) distinctly reduced ischemia-induced spine loss and neuronal damage, indicating that intervening tau phosphorylation may be a target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia (Fig. 4). This evidence concerns the gene DAPK1 and brain ischemia.