In rodent stroke models, Epo treatment has been shown to preserve brain structure and promote neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis at the lesion site by increasing progenitor proliferation, stimulating growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and decreasing precursor cell death (Chen et al., 2007; Gonzalez et al., 2013). The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is stroke disorder.