title: Genetic aspects of stroke: human and experimental studies.
abstract: As one of the leading causes of death within both the developed and developing world, stroke is a worldwide problem. Risk factors can be identified and controlled at the level of lifestyle changes; however, genetic components of stroke have yet to be identified. The identification of such genetic components is critical in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke in the future. This review focuses on the genetic determinants of stroke in both human and experimental systems. Mendelian disorders, candidate genes, and twin studies provide evidence for a strong genetic component of stroke. Genome-wide scanning in both human and animal models has led to the identification of regions of the genome that contain genes for stroke susceptibility and sensitivity. Animal models of stroke allow for environmental control and genetic homogeneity, not possible within a human population, and therefore are essential for the dissection of this complex, multifactorial disorder. Future genetic and genomic strategies and their role in ultimate causative gene identification are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Western Infirmary, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Fiona J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Martin W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: Hilary V O
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Carswell
authors.forename: Delyth
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strahorn
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Fadi J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Charchar
authors.forename: Anna F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Dominiczak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010375:Pedigree; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014427:Twins
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III