Abstract: The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that fragments of the histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) gene lacking the enzymatic domain promoted rod survival when electroporated into the retinas of a relevant mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Specifically, it has been discovered that only a small portion of the N-terminus of HDAC4 promotes survival of rod cells in rd1 mice. Accordingly, the present invention provides histone deacetylase 4 compositions and methods of use thereof for inhibiting neuronal cell death, e.g., retinal cell death.