Hippocampal Bad mRNA Levels in EPOCCI and VEHCCI rats obtained at post injury days (PID) 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14, presented as a percentage of corresponding Sham mRNA. Contralateral and Ipsilateral hemispheres are abbreviated as contra and ipsi, respectively. EPOCCIcontra and ipsi are shown as light gray and white bars, respectively. VEHCCI contra and ipsi are shown as dark gray and black bars, respectively. Results are presented as percent Sham mRNA±SEM, n=6–8/group. *p<0.05 relative to VEHCCI; &p<0.05 relative to SHAM. Bad mRNA decreased relative to VEHCCI at PID1 and 7 in bilateral hippocampi, suggesting anti-apoptotic effects after Procrit® administration. At PID3, Bad mRNA increased in EPOCCIcontra relative to VECHCCIcontra, suggesting a rebound increase in Bad mRNA at a time during which Procrit® should no longer be present in the brain.