Moreover, CAP-treated and Nestin-Cre; Bdnfflox/flox mice displayed significantly impaired cardiac function and a larger fibrotic area following MI, which could be rescued by intraperitoneal injections of BDNF, clearly indicating that upregulation of BDNF in the brain is induced by cardiac afferent fibers to protect the heart against ischemic injury [6]. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is myocardial infarction.