CREB1 and Stroke: These proteins include matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), which is activated during inflammation and may serve as a prognostic indicator of stroke severity [18]; c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), the activation of which is involved in inflammation and apoptosis [19]; the transcriptional factor c-Fos, which plays a significant role in postischemic inflammation and cell death [20]; and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding (CREB) transcription factor, which prevents neuronal damage and is involved in the neuroprotective effect of α-MSH [4,21].