Neuroprotective and antiamnesic effects of human nerve growth factor (HNGF) synthetic dipeptide mimetic bis-(N-monosuccinyl-glycyl-lysine)hexamethylenediamide (GK-2h) has been studied on a model of bilateral photochemically induced focal ischemical brain injury in prefrontal cortex of rats. It is established that a single intraperitoneal injection of GK-2h (0.1 mg/kg) 1 h or 4 h after operation, followed by injections on the 2nd, 4th and 8th days after operation, results (on the 9th day) in reduction of the cortical infarction volume by 47 or 65%, and leads to restoration of the passive avoidance reflex (acquired before experimental ischemic insult) by 42 and 60%, respectively. It is concluded that GK-2h possesses significant neuroprotective properties.