In addition, the ultimate goals of this meta-analysis involved (1) investigating the potential association of NOTCH3 rs1044009 polymorphism and ischemic stroke; (2) examining the possible relationship between these three polymorphisms and the major stroke subtypes; and (3) covering all the available studies (10 studies, with 7211 cases 7969 controls). The gene discussed is NOTCH3; the disease is stroke disorder.