Systemic markers of inflammation such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and white cell count have previously been shown to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in apparently healthy populations and patients with established vascular disease (e.g., [2],[3]), and in predicting the risk of, and outcome after, stroke (reviewed in [4]). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is stroke disorder.