Genetic susceptibility and ischaemic stroke

In the past year the search for genetic susceptibility factors involved in ischaemic stroke has motivated a number of important studies in humans and animals. These have been focused on genetic susceptibility as a risk factor for ischaemic stroke, or as a determinant of ischaemic stroke outcome. Bec ause there is increasing evidence that genetic factors play a role, it seem s that epidemiological studies assessing both environmental and genetic ris k factors may help to understand the cause of ischaemic stroke better. This may have therapeutic and preventive implications. Curr Opin Neurol 12:47-5 5. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.