Longitudinal observation-based clinical assessments have identified multiple possible biomarkers of stroke risk and severity, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which may serve as a point of therapeutic intervention in the days surrounding insult (Katzan et al., 2000; California Acute Stroke Pilot Registry Investigators, 2005; Qureshi et al., 2005; Kleindorfer et al., 2008). The gene discussed is IGF1; the disease is stroke disorder.