The incidence of stroke in younger adults is rising, with approximately 5% of all ischaemic strokes occurring in individuals younger than 45 years and 10% occurring in those under 50. Causes and risk factor profiles among young ischaemic stroke patients differ significantly from those in elderly patients, and young patients frequently have genetic or other rare causes which require different diagnostic work-up and treatment strategies from older stroke patients. While the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke are commonly covered elsewhere, there is little literature referring specifically to the treatment needs for younger stroke patients.

Ischaemic Stroke in the Young brings together the latest research from leading stroke teams, and takes a detailed diagnostic approach to explore the issues particular to younger stroke victims. This problem-based approach complements existing stroke volumes, providing physicians and stroke service staff with the specific diagnostic and treatment information they need when dealing with younger stroke patients.

Table of Contents
1: Epidemiology of young stroke: A look through the magnifying glass, Merel Sanne Ekker and Frank-Erik de Leeuw
2: Risk factors, Jukka Putaala and Nicolas Martinez-Majander
3: Classification of cerebral infarction among young adults, Christian Tanislav and Manfred Kaps
4: Vascular aetiology, Annette Fromm
5: Stroke in the young: Cardiac aetiology, Guillaume Turc, David Calvet, and Jean-Louis Mas
6: Special aetiologies of ischaemic stroke in young adults, Katarina Jood and Turgut Tatlisumak
7: Brain imaging (CT/MR), Thomas Gattringer, Christian Enzinger, Stefan Ropele, and Franz Fazekas
8: Vascular imaging (CTA/MRA), Thomas Gattringer, Christian Enzinger, Stefan Ropele, and Franz Fazekas
9: Vascular imaging: Ultrasound, Ulrike Waje-Andreassen and Nicola Logallo
10: Echocardiography in ischaemic stroke in the young adults, Sahrai Saeed and Eva Gerdts
11: Genetics of ischaemic stroke among young adults, Alessandro Pezzini
12: Stroke in young women, Kirsi Rantanen and Karoliina Aarnio
13: Arterial ischaemic stroke in children, Bettina Henzi and Maja Steinlin
14: Acute treatment, Svetlana Lorenzano and Danilo Toni
15: Secondary prevention, José M. Ferro and Ana Catarina Fonseca
16: Long-term prognosis after cerebral infarction among young adults, Halvor Naess