New advances in identifying genetic anomalies in stroke-prone probands.

The past several years have been marked by significant progress in identifying genetic anomalies in stroke-prone probands. These advances have occurred in both highly penetrant single-gene disorders and in common stroke, which is influenced by risk/susceptibility genes. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) can be challenging to diagnose because of the wide range of notch 3 mutations that can cause disease, but a new immunohistochemical technique using a skin biopsy sample appears to be highly sensitive and specific. In a landmark Icelandic study, linkage was established between stroke and a locus on chromosome 5q12 designated STRK1. Association studies continue to identify polymorphisms that predispose to stroke and to markers for cerebrovascular atherosclerosis, such as intima-media thickness. Intense interest now surrounds genes involved in inflammation, including genes that encode for the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and paraoxonase-1. In the foreseeable future, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment will incorporate genetic data to refine and individualize management of cerebrovascular disease.