These data show that both SF/HGF and FGF-1 protect cerebellar granule neurons against excitotoxicity with similar potency in a PI3-K/Akt-dependent and MAP-kinase/CREB-independent manner.;Continuous postischemic intrastriatal administration of human recombinant HGF (10 or 30 µg) for 7 days potently prevented the delayed death of hippocampal neurons under both anesthetized and awake conditions.