Sulbutiamine shows neuroprotective effects on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Sulbutiamine enhances electrophysiological properties such as excitatory synaptic transmissions and intrinsic neuronal membrane input resistance in a concentration-dependent manner. Sulbutiamine attenuates apoptotic cell death induced by serum deprivation and stimulates GSH and GST activity in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, sulbutiamine decreases the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and AIF.