- Recent (30-60 days after symptom onset) diagnosis of first-ever ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke is defined as an event characterized by the sudden onset of acute focal neurological symptoms, MR or CT findings consistent with ischemic stroke, and no evidence of other neurological disorders clinically or radiographically to explain. Patients with reversible neurological deficit within 24 hours (clinical TIA), but with a cerebral injury of ischemic origin visible on neuroimages and corresponding to patient symptoms, have to be classified as having an ischemic stroke and considered for the study.