Methods for treating a central nervous system (CNS) injury in a subject are provided. As of the methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor signaling inhibitor to treat the subject for the CNS injury. Also provided are compositions useful in embodiments of the methods. Methods and compositions of the invention find use in the treatment of a variety of different CNS injuries, including but not limited to, treating a subject for CNS injury associated with the occurrence of stroke.
