As CREB is a universally expressed transcription factor, these genes that are selectively regulated in cortical neurons in Stroke + CREB identify molecular targets for a more specific pharmacology to promote stroke recovery, in addition to an approach of targeting isoforms of CREB-modulating enzymes that are uniquely expressed in stroke-affected brain regions, such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors41. The gene discussed is CREB1; the disease is stroke disorder.