Methods of treating brain ischema or hypoxia by using an inhibitor of cysteine-glutamate transporter (i.e. system xc−) is provided. The inhibitor includes sorafenib and a derivative thereof, erastin, and suifasalazine. These inhibitors can effectively decrease a concentration of extracellular glutamate, so that excitotoxicity to central nervous system (CNS) and a cortical infarct volume in brains can be reduced.
