TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence staining displayed that downregulated Drp1 inhibited apoptosis and increased NeuN-positive cells (neurons) in the prefrontal cortical tissues of CKD mice, while upregulated EZH2 reversed these effects (Fig. 6D, E, Additional file 1: Fig. S1E, F). This evidence concerns the gene EZH2 and chronic kidney disease.