WMHs have been associated with infarct growth, cerebral hemorrhage after treatment with tissue plasminogen activator, poor stroke functional outcomes, and an increased risk of stroke recurrence (Fierini et al., 2017; Ryu et al., 2017; Wang S. et al., 2017); thus, a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology may contribute to the proposal and evaluation of strategies for prevention and treatment. This evidence concerns the gene PLAT and Stroke.