To detect the novel genes, functions, and networks contributing to the pathobiology of CCM, Koskimäki et al. performed transcriptomic analysis across 3 species (human, mouse and Caenorhabditis elegans) and 2 disease genotypes (induced loss of CCM1 and CCM2 genes) from laser microdissected neurovascular units. Here, KRIT1 is linked to cerebral cavernous malformation.