Blood proteins linked to later stroke risk in two studies
Among 14,139 people, 44 blood proteins were linked to future stroke risk, with 26 associations replicated in two independent groups.
Our read
Biomarkers- Studied:
- Meta-analysis of 14,139 people without a previous stroke, 25 and 12 years (Independent replication)
- What changed:
- Blood levels of 44 proteins were linked to later stroke risk; 26 associations replicated in independent groups
- The catch:
- Only 26 of the 44 protein associations met replication criteria in independent groups
- In the record:
- One of 7 papers on blood proteins on record: 4 with results in people.
Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Among 14,139 people without a previous stroke, researchers combined results from two cohort studies in a meta-analysis of blood proteins and later ischemic stroke—a stroke caused by blocked blood flow to the brain. Median follow-up was 25 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and 12 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Overall, 1,397 participants (10%) had an ischemic stroke.
After accounting for stroke risk factors, 44 proteins were associated with stroke risk; 26 were newly identified associations. Of the 44 associations, 26 met replication criteria in two independent groups. Mendelian randomization analyses, which use genetic differences to assess possible causal links, suggested two proteins as potential contributors to stroke risk.
Why it matters
Understanding the biology behind ischemic stroke may help guide prevention in later life. The authors suggest their findings may offer leads for new preventive therapies if future studies confirm them.
Caveats
People with higher levels of certain blood proteins may also have had other stroke risks that the analysis did not fully account for. The findings concern people without a previous stroke when their blood was tested.
The paper
Proteomics and Risk of Incident Ischemic Stroke: Meta-Analysis of the ARIC Study and CHS
University of Minnesota; University of Washington
Stroke, Nov 12, 2026
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