The purpose of this investigation was to assess: 1) The importance of eNOS in the neurovascular protective effects of AT1 receptor antagonism, 2) The interaction between AT1 blockade, eNOS and neurotrophin signaling and development of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress after stroke and, 3) To determine the effects of early AT1 blockade on 7 day neurobehavioral outcomes in hypertensive rats. The gene discussed is NOS3; the disease is stroke disorder.