Dimethyl fumarate is a nuclear factor (erythroid-derived)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway activator. Dimethyl fumarate induces upregulation of antioxidant gene expression. Dimethyl fumarate displays cytoprotective effects in human spinal cord astrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells and hippocampal neurons following hydrogen peroxide challenge. Dimethyl fumarate exerts neuroprotective effects in vivo in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.