Book excerpt: Subcortical Stroke is a new and fully revised edition of Lacunar and Other Subcortical Infarctions (OUP, 1995). Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and subcortical stroke accounts for 20-30% of all cerebrovascular infarctions. Our understanding of stroke processes in general, and subcortical stroke in particular, has advanced considerably in recent years. Research findings from the fields of neurochemistry, imaging and genetics have provided insight and input to our understanding of this condition, and this new edition provides an opportunity to describe these advances, and to relate the findings to the clinical expression, neural mechanism, prognosis and treatment of subcortical stroke. In addition, new subcortical syndromes such as CADASIL are covered, as is subcortical haemorrhage. This book presents a comprehensive and authoritative review of the field with contributions from the leading international experts. Subcortical Stroke is for stroke physicians, neurologists and those researching cerebrovascular diseases.