PTBP1 knockdown significantly reversed ischemia-induced decreases in circSCMH1 levels and reduced astrocyte activation markers in functional studies, while in vivo experiments using AAV-GFAP-shRNA-Ptbp1 demonstrated improved functional recovery in stroke models, underscoring its potential in mitigating stroke-induced brain injury. The gene discussed is GFAP; the disease is ischemia.