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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
03:47
A Murine Model of Carotid Aneurysm Formation
Published on: September 9, 2025
Genetics of intracranial aneurysms
Brian V Nahed1, Mohamad Bydon, Ali K Ozturk
1Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.
Neurosurgery
|February 10, 2007
Summary
Diagnosing intracranial aneurysms (IA) before rupture is crucial due to poor prognosis. Research suggests a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures, like smoking, contribute to IA development, paving the way for early detection and targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Intracranial aneurysms (IA) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have poor patient outcomes despite treatment advances.
- Early diagnosis of asymptomatic IA is critical but currently lacks reliable methods beyond screening high-risk individuals.
- IA development is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of early diagnosis for intracranial aneurysms (IA).
- To explore the combined role of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors in IA pathogenesis.
- To underscore the potential of genetic discoveries for improved diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies identifying IA risk factors (e.g., size, location, hypertension, smoking).
- Analysis of evidence from genome-wide linkage studies in families with IA.
- Examination of association studies investigating genetic contributions to IA.
Main Results:
- Identified patient-specific (age, sex, hypertension) and aneurysm-specific (size, location) risk factors.
- Demonstrated genetic heterogeneity of IA, indicating multiple gene involvement.
- Established environmental factors like smoking as significant contributors to IA formation.
Conclusions:
- Genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are key determinants in IA pathogenesis.
- Identification of IA susceptibility genes offers potential for preclinical diagnosis.
- Understanding genetic underpinnings will enable novel, biology-based therapeutic strategies for IA.
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