Book excerpt: Over the last decade there has been a substantial increase in our understanding of the genetic basis of common disorders such as stroke. Stroke Genetics is designed to give the reader an overall understanding of the genetics of complex diseases by using stroke as a paradigm. The reader will gain a comprehensive understanding of cerebrovascular genetics including the epidemiological evidence for the genetic basis of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, knowledge of its molecular basis from association, linkage and recent genome-wide studies, and also monogenic disorders. Finally, the legal and ethical complexities in dealing with these issues are discussed. Stroke Genetics benefits from the contribution of renowned experts from throughout the world who have been intimately involved in unraveling the genetic etiology of stroke. Stroke Genetics is a valuable resource for neurologists, stroke physicians, hypertension specialists, internists, clinical pharmacologists and those in training, as well as researchers in the field of disease genetics.