title: Genetic susceptibility to cerebrovascular accidents.
abstract: Cerebrovascular accidents are the third leading cause of death after myocardial infarction and cancer in all Western societies. A more complete understanding of the pathogenetic determinants of stroke is required in order to achieve a better prevention and treatment of this common disease. Recently, based on convincing epidemiological and experimental evidence, the concept of stroke as a complex, multifactorial, polygenic disease has been well assessed. Thus, together with known modifiable determinants, such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, cardiac diseases and diabetes, specific hereditary factors for stroke are now taken into account when analysing the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular accidents. In particular, there have recently been important findings related to the genetic basis of stroke in suitable animal models and in humans, thus representing the promise of a more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of stroke in the future and of a more specific preventive and therapeutic approach to this common pathological condition.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, (Isernia), Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rubattu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanzione
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagalino
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Musumeci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D051381:Rats; D020521:Stroke / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C095026:brain natriuretic peptide-35, rat; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor