Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a mitochondriaI enzyme that is found at high levels in neurons. Changes in NSE levels maY provide quantitative information about the extent of certain types of neurological injury, including cerebral infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, cınd head trauma. This study investigated serum levels of NSE by enzyme immunoassaY after global cerebral ischemia in rats, and evaluated the effects of low-dose methylprednisolone on serum NSE concentration. The results confirmed that serum NSE is a sensitive marker of cerebral ischemia, and revealed a positive correlation between NSE levels and low-dose methylprednisolone treatment.