Gschwendtner_2008_Stroke_39_1593

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Genetic variation in the EPHX2 gene region has been reported to influence susceptibility to ischemic stroke in blacks. We assessed the role of this gene region in white Europeans and performed analyses with regard to stroke subtypes.
METHODS: Twenty-six single nucleotide polymorphisms in the EPHX2 gene region were genotyped in 601 patients with ischemic stroke and 736 matched controls. Cases were subtyped according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification system. Analyses were done on single markers and haplotypes using a sliding-window approach.
RESULTS: Three single nucleotide polymorphisms showed associations with an increased risk for ischemic stroke (allelic models; all PCONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm and extend previous studies suggesting that genetic variation in or near the EPHX2 gene contributes to the risk of ischemic stroke. This association seems to be mediated predominantly by large-vessel disease.