In different cellular systems, TERT protein has been shown to be protective through its interaction with mitochondria. Our data reveal that TERT is expressed in vitro in mouse neurons and microglia, and in vivo in the cytoplasm of mature human hippocampal neurons and activated microglia, but is absent from astrocytes.;These data suggest that TERT plays a neuroprotective role via anti-apoptosis in neurons after OGD.;Our findings demonstrate a neuroprotective function of TERT in an experimental model  relevant  to  Alzheimer’s  disease, and  suggest  the  possibility  that  restoration  of  TERT expression  in  neurons  in  the  adult  brain  may  protect against  age-related  neurodegeneration.