HIF-1α is neuroprotective during the early phases of mild hypoxia in rat cortical neurons

► We explored the effect of HIF-1α on hypoxia-mediated neuronal death. ► Mild hypoxia (3%) causes neuronal death in rat cortical neurons. ► We over expressed or knocked-down HIF-1α in neurons using lentiviral vectors. ► HIF-1α protects neurons from mild-hypoxia-induced death during the initial 24 h. ► HIF-1α over expression does not increase neuroprotection against mild hypoxia.