The Genetics of Cerebral Aneurysms and Other Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations and aneurysms that may affect the blood vessels in the brain include developmental venous anomalies, intracranial saccular aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, capillary telangiectasias, and cavernous malformations. These lesions are increasingly detected due to the frequency of cross-sectional brain imaging. While some of these lesions are benign, others can be associated with neurological symptoms and intracranial hemorrhage. As molecular biological techniques continue to advance there is rapidly evolving information regarding the genetics of intracranial aneurysms and vascular malformations.