Mitochondrial JNK phosphorylation as a novel therapeutic target to inhibit neuroinflammation and apoptosis after neonatal ischemic brain damage

► D-JNKi potently reduces neonatal ischemic brain injury. ► Cerebral ischemia induces JNK phosphorylation at the mitochondria. ► Mitochondrial integrity is preserved when mitochondrial JNK is not phosphorylated. ► D-JNKi reduces pro-apoptotic molecules and increases anti-apoptotic molecules. ► Neuroinflammation is strongly reduced after D-JNKi treatment.