Purpose of review: Ischaemic stroke is a heterogeneous disease caused by different pathogenic mechanisms, of which small artery and large artery stroke are the most common. The identification of the genes involved is unclear. The likely candidate genes associated with stroke are those that are associated with matrix deposition (stromelysin-1, MMP3), inflammation (IL-6), and lipid metabolism (hepatic lipase, APOE, PON1) and clotting (factor V Leiden, fibrinogen).
Recent findings: In this review we will only discuss those genes in which there has been a significant contribution to the understanding of stroke since October 2003.
Summary: The published data were reviewed to determine the robustness of these associations and to examine whether there is any evidence of risk modification by factors such as smoking habit, known to be associated with stroke.