FOS and ischemia: There is evidence that ischemia rapidly activates the expression of the c-Fos mRNA and protein in 2-h rat tMCAO models across the entire ipsilateral hemisphere, with the maximum induction observed after 1 h of reperfusion, followed by a decrease in expression to the peri-infarction areas and the maintenance of a high expression level along the infarction border at 24 h after tMCAO.