A selective inhibitor of Drp1, mdivi-1, acts against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via an anti-apoptotic pathway in rats

► Mdivi-1 preconditioning treatment blocked apoptosis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. ► The underlying mechanism may be by prevention of Cytochrome C release. ► Mdivi-1 neuroprotective effect was dose-dependent.