ROS, interleukin-1β and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activate p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, which is associated with protein oxidation and damage in post-ischemic rodent brains.33 Intriguingly, while ROS mediates neuronal damage during the early phase of ischemia, in later phases it mediates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis, angiogenesis, and recovery in the post-ischemic brain.34 The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is ischemia.