Group differences in VEGF levels were attenuated by 3 months post-stroke, though higher serum levels of VEGF in the acute stroke phase were associated with a better functional outcome (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score decrease > 4 points) after adjusting for potential covariates including initial NIHSS and infarct volume, possibly due to their neuroprotective and angiogenic effects. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is Stroke.