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Stroke Genetics Update: 2011

  • Genetics (Christopher Newton-Cheh and J. Gustav Smith, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Although stroke remains a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, recently there have been significant advances related to our understanding of the genetic basis of stroke. Ongoing research efforts put us on the cusp for major breakthroughs in the field. In this review, we present the substantial evidence for the contribution of genetic variation to the development of stroke, and the difficulties posed in the study of stroke given the numerous genetically driven risk factors and stroke subtypes. We emphasize recent findings implementing candidate gene and genome-wide association approaches. We then discuss how emerging knowledge is informing and reshaping our understanding of stroke biology and how, in the near term, genetics may be used clinically to identify individuals who are at risk of disease or who may derive benefit from specific treatment modalities. Lastly, we address ongoing and future approaches that will continue to improve our understanding of stroke genetics.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Cole was supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service; the Department of Veterans Affairs Stroke Research Enhancement Award Program; the University of Maryland General Clinical Research Center (Grant M01 RR 165001), General Clinical Research Centers Program, National Center for Research Resources; and the NIH—NINDS U01 (U01 NS069208-01).

Dr. Meschia is Principal Investigator of the Siblings with Ischemic Stroke Study (SWISS; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS] R01NS39987) and receives additional support from the NINDS U01 (U01 NS069208-01) for his activities chairing the Phenotype Committee for the Stroke Genetics Network.

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No conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maryland Stroke Center, Departments of Neurology, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, 12th Floor, Bressler Bldg., Room 12-006, 655 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201-1559, USA

    John W. Cole

  2. Cerebrovascular Division, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA

    James F. Meschia

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  1. John W. Cole
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Correspondence to John W. Cole.

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Cole, J.W., Meschia, J.F. Stroke Genetics Update: 2011. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 5, 533–541 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-011-0200-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-011-0200-6

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