Colivelin TFA is a brain penetrant neuroprotective peptide and a potent activator of STAT3, suppresses neuronal death by activating STAT3 in vitro. Colivelin TFA exhibits long-term beneficial effects against neurotoxicity, Aβ deposition, neuronal apoptosis, and synaptic plasticity deficits in neurodegenerative disease. Colivelin TFA has the potential for the treatment of alzheimer's disease and ischemic brain injury.