The invention provides for the use of protein kinase activators or boosters of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or other neurotrophic factors to treat stroke. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of treating stroke comprising the steps of identifying a subject having suffered a stroke and administering to said subject an amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein kinase C (PKC) activator or 4-methylcatechol acetic acid (MCBA) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier effective to treat at least one symptom of stroke.
