Genetic susceptibility to ischemic stroke

James F Meschia1, Bradford B Worrall, Stephen S Rich

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. meschia.james@mayo.edu

Insights

Genetic factors in ischemic stroke are complex. While single-gene disorders like sickle cell disease are important, common genetic variants have minor effects. Research is ongoing to understand stroke genetics and its clinical application.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Genetics
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Ischemic stroke has several associated single-gene disorders.
  • Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not identified major common genetic risk variants for ischemic stroke.
  • Pharmacogenomic studies have identified genetic factors influencing response to stroke medications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review single-gene disorders associated with ischemic stroke.
  • To summarize current research on genetic risk factors for ischemic stroke.
  • To discuss the role of pharmacogenomics in stroke treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of single-gene disorders and ischemic stroke.
  • Summary of findings from candidate gene and genome-wide association studies.
  • Discussion of pharmacogenomic data relevant to stroke.

Main Results:

  • Several single-gene disorders present with ischemic stroke.
  • No single common genetic variant has been found to significantly increase ischemic stroke risk.
  • Ongoing large-scale studies aim to identify common variants with smaller effects.
  • Genetic factors influencing response to warfarin, statins, and clopidogrel have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Awareness of single-gene disorders is crucial for clinicians treating stroke patients.
  • Current understanding of common genetic variants offers limited major risk prediction.
  • Integrating genetic knowledge into clinical practice for stroke remains a challenge.
  • Pharmacogenomics offers potential for personalized stroke treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...