With a fast dissemination of the findings that Gal-4 plasma levels increase with stroke, we instead want to stimulate further research on this important topic and pave the way for additional mechanistic studies that may include the testing of the relative potential of Gal-4 as a prognostic marker for stroke outcome, its potential as a therapeutic target, or the investigation of plasma Gal-4 as prognostic parameter for stroke incidence in patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The gene discussed is LGALS4; the disease is metabolic syndrome.