Cerebral small vessel disease: genetic risk assessment for prevention and treatment.
Cerebrovascular disease is a major burden to individuals and their communities worldwide. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability, and the prevention and treatment of stroke can be improved with a better understanding of its causation. Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a subset of cerebrovascular disease, and has an equally large impact on an individual's quality of life. Although many risk factors are involved, we propose that genetics has a significant role in the pathogenesis of SVD through a complex interplay of environmental and multigenetic factors. Advances in molecular technology have enabled the human genome to be investigated both at a population and, more recently, an individual level. A better understanding of the molecular basis of SVD will enable the development of therapies to help in its prevention and treatment. This review assesses the molecular genetics underlying cerebral SVD.
Lam
Ada
A
School of Medicine, Stroke Research Programme, University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, Woodville South, SA, Australia.
Hamilton-Bruce
M Anne
MA
Jannes
Jim
J
Koblar
Simon A
SA
D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006401:Hematologic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D008833:Microcirculation; D008954:Models, Biological; D009929:Organ Size; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D006401:Hematologic Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators