The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of stroke and transient ischemic attacks. In a particular aspect, patient sampl es are analyzed for the presence or amount of a panel of markers comprising one or more specific markers for cerebral injury and one or more non-specific markers for cerebral injury. In an alternative aspect, samples are analyzed for B-type natriuretic peptide. A variety of markers are disclosed for assembling a panel for such diagnosis and evaluation. In various aspects, th e invention provides methods for early detection and differentiation of stroke types and transient ischemic attacks, for determining the prognosis of a patient presenting with stroke symptoms, and identifying a patient at risk f or cerebral vasospasm. Invention methods provide rapid, sensitive and specific assays to greatly increase the number of patients that can receive beneficia l stroke treatment and therapy, and reduce the costs associated with incorrect stroke diagnosis.
DIAGNOSTIC MARKERS OF STROKE AND CEREBRAL INJURY AND METHODSOF USE THEREOF