I think you might be interested in these publications.
1. Neuronal caspase-3 signaling: not only cell death. M D’Amelio, V Cavallucci and F Cecconi. Cell Death and Differentiation (2010) 17, 1104–1114
2. Sensory Neurons With Activated Caspase-3 Survive Long-Term Experimental Diabetes. Chu Cheng and Douglas W. Zochodne. DIABETES, VOL. 52, SEPTEMBER 2003
3. Apoptotic and Nonapoptotic Caspase Functions in Animal Development. Masayuki Miura. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012;4:a008664
Sure it does. For in vitro studies (primary cortical neurons) I recommend using Cell signalling antibodies. Check my paper http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797175/#!po=25.0000. Let me know any question about getting strong caspase-3/active caspase-3 Western blot bands. You have to buy total caspase-3 and active caspase-3 antibodies. Good luck!