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Little is known regarding occlusive cerebrovascular disease (blockage of vessels that deliver blood to the brain) among Chinese people, although such disease is known to vary among other ethnic groups. To learn more about this, the medical records were reviewed from 24 Chinese and 24 Caucasian patients who had undergone angiography (X-ray examination of the brain after injection of a dye into the blood vessels). The patients had entered the hospital because of transient ischemic attacks (TIA, temporary interruption of blood supply to the brain causing light-headedness or other sensations) or strokes (sudden interruption of brain blood supply). Several arteries were evaluated on each angiogram and were measured to determine the degree of stenosis (constriction). Results showed that the two groups were of similar average age (approximately 64); however, Caucasians had a history of more TIA episodes and a higher platelet count (blood cells essential for clotting). Caucasians had disease more frequently at the site where the internal carotid artery begins (a site outside the brain, or extracranial), while Chinese tended to have intracranial disease. Other factors, such as blood pressure, diabetes, platelet count, and demographic factors, were not correlated with the location of cerebrovascular disease; ethnicity was the only factor that correlated. Results similar to those of the Chinese subjects have been reported for blacks and Japanese people. In general, risk factors for atherosclerotic disease (build-up of fatty plaque on arterial walls), such as being male, having a history of vascular disease, and having high cholesterol levels, are not as highly associated with intracranial as with extracranial disease. The reasons for these ethnic differences remain unclear. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)