Additionally, low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in the hippocampus may contribute to deteriorative apoptosis of a subpopulation of hippocampal neurons, decreasing neuronal survival as well as impairing spatial learning and memory after cerebral ischemia (Fan et al., 2015; Soares et al., 2017). Here, BDNF is linked to Cerebral ischemia.