the invention provides for the use of protein kinase activators or boosters of nerve growth factor , brain - derived neurotrophic factor or other neurotrophic factors to treat stroke . specifically , the present invention provides methods of treating stroke comprising the steps of identifying a subject having suffered a stroke and administering to said subject an amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein kinase c activator or 4 - methylcatechol acetic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier effective to treat at least one symptom of stroke .