title: The Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study (NOR-SYS): rationale and design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ischemic stroke in young adults is a major health problem being associated with a higher vascular morbidity and mortality compared to controls, and a stroke recurrence rate of 25% during the first decade. The assumed cause of infarction and the detected risk factors determine the early- and long-term treatment. However, for many patients the cause of stroke remains unknown. Risk factor profile and etiology differ in young and elderly ischemic stroke patients, and atherosclerosis is the determined underlying condition in 10 to 15%. However, subclinical atherosclerosis is probably more prevalent and may go unrecognized.
  
  
  METHODS
  NOR-SYS is a prospective long-term research program. Standardized methods are used for anamnestic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and ultrasound data collection in ischemic stroke patients aged ≤60 years, their partners and joint adult offspring. The ultrasound protocol includes the assessment of intracranial, carotid and femoral arteries, abdominal aorta, and the estimation of VAT. To date, the study is a single centre study with approximately 400 patients, 250 partners and 350 adult offspring expected to be recruited at our site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NOR-SYS aims to increase our knowledge about heredity and the development of arterial vascular disease in young patients with ischemic stroke and their families. Moreover, optimization of diagnostics, prophylaxis and early intervention are major targets with the intention to reduce stroke recurrence and other clinical arterial events, physical disability, cognitive impairment and death.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fromm
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomassen
authors.forename: Halvor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Naess
authors.forename: Rudy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Geir Egil
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.forename: Jostein
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kråkenes
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Vedeler
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gerdts
authors.forename: Terje H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Karel K-J
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kuiper
authors.forename: Elin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laxdal
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tatlisumak
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Waje-Andreassen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult