Cerebrovascular disease among Chinese populations--recent epidemiological and neuroimaging studies.

Stroke mortality in individuals of Chinese descent has declined during the past decades, although the absolute number of patients with first-ever stroke is escalating. This review summarises recent epidemiological and imaging studies conducted among Chinese populations. Data indicating differences between Chinese and Caucasian ethnic groups in the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke are highlighted, and the potential implications of these findings for prevention and management of stroke are discussed.