Stroke Genetics

Stroke is a major cause of death and the major cause of adult neurological disability in most of the world. Despite its importance on a population basis, research into the genetics of stroke has lagged behind that of many other disorders. However, the situation is now changing. An increasing number of single gene disorders causing stroke are being described, and there is growing evidence that polygenic factors are important in the risk of apparently "sporadic" stroke. Stroke Genetics provides an up-to-date review of the area, suitable for clinicians treating stroke patients, and both clinical and non-clinical researchers in the field of cerebrovascular disease. The full range of monogenic stroke disorders causing cerebrovascular disease, including ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations, are covered. For each, clinical features, diagnosis, and genetics are described. Increasing evidence suggest that genetic factors are also important for the much more common multifactorial stroke; this evidence is reviewed along with the results of genetic studies in this area. Optimal and novel strategies for investigating multifactorial stroke, including the use of intermediate phenotypes such as intima-media thickness and MRI detected small vessel disease are reviewed. The book concludes by describing a practical approach to investigating patients with stroke for underlying genetic disorders. Also included is a list of useful websites.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1: Markus: An introduction to stroke 2: Catto & Carter: Genetic principles and techniques 3: Meschia & Brown: Genetic epidemiology of stroke 4: Sagnella: Genetics of conventional stroke risk factors 5: Rubattu, Gigante, Stanzione & Volpe: Animal models of stroke: implications for genetic studies of human stroke 6: Dichgans: Monogenic causes of ischaemic stroke 7: Hassan & Markus: Polygenic ischaemic stroke including new genetic and statistical approaches 8: Jerrard-Dunne, Hassan & Markus: Investigating the genetics of polygenic ischaemic stroke using intermediate phenotypes 9: Haan: Genetics of intracerebral haemorrhage 10: Schievink: Genetics of subarachnoid haemorrhage and intracranial aneurysms 11: Labauge: Familial cerebral arteriovenous malformations 12: Kirkham & Prengler: The genetics of paediatric stroke 13: Markus: Investigating a patient with stroke for genetic causes 14: Markus: Useful web sites for stroke genetics

Review :
The book is an essential purchase for physicians and neurologists with an interest in stroke, it covers areas of research not covered in detail by standard texts ... Although intended for the 'stroke' clinician and the basic scientist entering the field, it is potentially of interest to a much wider audience. I would encourage neurology trainees to read the clinical chapters covering monogenic causes of stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation, and neurosurgery trainees to read that on the genetics of aneurysm. Medical students and housemen would profit from reading the editor's introductory and final chapters, and if all that is remembered is the table of relative risks for stroke and the importance of taking a systematic family history, two very helpful lessons will have been learnt. Neurology and medical school libraries should certainly obtain a copy. Journal of Neurology, 251 This book will form an extremely valuable and timely starting place for both clinicians and basic scientists, and certainly makes an excellent contribution to our current understanding of inherited causes of stroke. Human Genetics