ACTH levels decreased slightly on the first day after stroke compared to those in the healthy control group [IQR 29.74 (16.55, 52.54) pg/ml vs. 32.07 (20.10, 46.07) pg/ml], and then gradually increased slightly [IQR 29.74 (16.55, 52.54) pg/ml; 31.08 (24.14, 52.94) pg/ml; 34.06 (19.11, 53.28) pg/ml], but the difference was not statistically significant (Figure 1D). Here, POMC is linked to Stroke.