Silent stroke: pathogenesis, genetic factors and clinical implications as a risk factor

Silent stroke is frequently recognized in elderly persons, Diffusion-weight ed magnetic resonance imaging has proved to be highly sensitive in the dete ction of recent silent stroke, and may further applications in the future. Silent stroke in healthy and asymptomatic individuals mainly comprises lacu nar infarcts, which are often associated with white matter changes. Thus, a nalyses of risk factors and genetic factors in small-vessel diseases such a s lacunar infarct and white matter changes may provide clues regarding the pathogenesis of silent stroke. Silent stroke may be a risk factor for clini cal stroke and cognitive impairment, but prospective studies are required t o confirm this. Curr Opin Neurol 14:77-82. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & W ilkins.