Molecular Mechanisms of Malignant Cerebral Edema After LHI

The study is to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence of malignant cerebral edema (cerebral hernia) after large hemispheric infarction. Acute LHI (\<=48h) patients that develop cerebral hernia or not within 5 days post-stroke onset, as well as the healthy controls will be studied. The participants will be followed for up to 6 months post stroke-onset, and their modified Rankin Scale (mRS) will be recorded. A mRS score of 0-4 is considered as a favorable outcome while a score of 5-6 as an unfavorable one.