Based on findings that there is heterogeneity of hippocampal neurons in response to ischemia such as highly vulnerable CA1 neurons and resistant CA3 neurons, and cortical neurons in the frontal and parietal cortex are more evenly vulnerable to ischemia (Pulsinelli et al., 1982) we cultured cortical cells for 7 days and identified neurons (MAP2) and astrocytes (GFAP) using immunofluorescent staining. The gene discussed is MAP2; the disease is ischemia.