Although there are numerous studies demonstrating involvement of apoptotic pathways during ischemic insult, key findings indicate that cerebral ischemia (1) alters the proportion of pro-apoptotic vs. anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, (2) increases mitochondrial membrane permeability, and (3) activates caspases in both mitochondria-dependent and independent manners. The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is brain ischemia.