Human albumin therapy within the first 4 h is highly neuroprotective in focal ischemia, but it is unknown whether delayed albumin therapy is deleterious. Rats received 2 h middle cerebral artery suture-occlusion. Human albumin (25%, 2.5 mg/kg; n=12) or vehicle (0.9% saline, 5 ml/kg; n=9) were administered at 19 h. Neurological status was evaluated daily, and histopathology and brain swelling were quantified at 3 days. Delayed albumin treatment, while ineffective, failed to show adverse effects.