Early-onset ischemic stroke is a devastating disease with a significant, yet insufficiently characterized genetic component. By focusing on early-onset stroke-specific features, my aim is to unravel its genetic architecture. Almost half of the early-onset strokes are cryptogenic i.e., lack a specific cause. We explore the genetics of cryptogenic early-onset stroke. Families with high rates of early-onset strokes and other cardiovascular diseases might carry rare, high-impact genetic variants. We study such families to discover new stroke genes. Several features of early-onset stroke show sex-specificity, and females have several exogenous risk factors, such as oral contraceptives. We study genetic factors that contribute to sex differences and explore gene-environment interactions underlying oral contraceptive-associated stroke. A better understanding on the genetics of early-onset ischemic stroke is crucial for the development of better prevention and treatment strategies.

2024

2028