Approved Research

Genetic risk factors of cerebrovascular disorders

Lay summary

Intracranial aneurysms (IA) are focal outpouchings that frequently arise at bifurcations of major cerebral arteries. Approximately 3% of the general population is estimated to carry an IA. However, patients are often unaware until a catastrophic rupture occurs, frequently without any warning signs. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is responsible of 500,000 hemorrhagic strokes worldwide annually. Approximately 25% of patients die suddenly before reaching to hospitals. Given the grim prognosis, molecular biology and genetic predisposition of IA should be investigated.

In this proposal, we aim (1) to identify the genes responsible for IA formation and (2) Subarachnoid hemorrhage, 3) assess enrichment of identified genes in Aim (1) and (2) in other forms of hemorrhagic stroke.