The present invention includes methods for detecting and reducing or inhibiting ischemic stroke in a mammal, the method comprising: (a) selecting microRNAs to downregulate selected from the group consisting of hsa-miR-96-5p, hsa-miR-99a-5p, hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-186-5p, hsa-miR-211-5p, hsa-mir-760, PC-3p-57664, or PC-5p-12969, (b) selecting microRNAs to upregulate selected from the group consisting of ggo-miR-139, hsa-miR-30d-5p, hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, mmu-miR-5124a, mmu-mir-6240-5p, PC-3p-32463, or PC-5p-211, and combinations thereof, and (c) administering an agent that: downregulates that targets in (a), upregulates the targets in (b), or both, to the subject in an amount sufficient to reduce or inhibit ischemic stroke in the mammal. The present invention also includes the detection of the markers for use with stroke patients.