Gene may increase stroke risk

MILLIONS of people may be carrying mutations in their DNA that greatly increase their risk of stroke, research has shown.

A study of 19,600 individuals found two previously unknown genetic variations that significantly affected the chances of having a stroke.

Each copy of the mutations raised the risk of all kinds of stroke by 31% to 32%. Some people could have two copies of one or both.

The same variations raised the risk of ischaemic stroke – caused by a clot in a blood vessel – by between 39% and 41%.

Around a fifth of white people and 10% of black people have at least one copy of the mutations.

The variations, alterations in the chemical make-up of the genetic code, occurred in a patch of DNA known to contain a gene associated with brain injury repair called NINJ2. Another nearby gene, WNK1, is linked to blood pressure control.

Researchers studied DNA samples from a black North American population and a white group from the Netherlands.

The results provide strong evidence for the existence of stroke-associated genes.

Although the findings do not identify any specific genes, they could act as “signpoints” showing scientists where to search. NINJ2 is one likely suspect.

Professor Myriam Fornage of Texas University, said: “This research gives us a pointer or a beacon on the genome where we can look further.

“Additional research is required because we don’t know if NINJ2 is really the culprit.”

Dr Christopher O’Donnell, senior adviser to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute which helped fund the study, said: “Discovering genes for stroke has been a challenge in part because there are many different types of stroke. These results provide strong evidence for a previously unknown gene that may predispose to stroke and suggests that more genes will be discovered, improving our chances of reducing the toll from this important public health problem.”

Around 150,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK and have left more than 300,000 people with moderate to severe disabilities.

Source

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1172686?UserKey=