The present invention provides for a transgenic non-human animal whose cells contain a DNA sequence comprising: (a) a nerve tissue specific promoter and (b) a DNA sequence which encodes a receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), wherein the promoter and the DNA sequence which encodes the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) are operatively linked to each other and integrated in the genome of the non-human animal, and wherein said non-human animal exhibits a reduced amount of cerebral tissue infarcted following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion compared to an identical non-human animal lacking said DNA sequence.
