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Scientists have discovered the gene that protects young and middle-aged adults from strokes, the Daily Mail reports.

People with a specific variant of a gene, known as PHACTR1, have a lower risk of suffering a cervical artery dissection - one of the most common causes of strokes in those under the age of 50.

A cervical artery dissection is a tear in the artery in the neck, that leads to the brain.

The tear can lead to blood clots developing, which can restrict the blood supply to the brain and cause a stroke.

The same gene variant has also been identified as a protector against migraines and affects the risk of heart attack.

Scientists hope the breakthrough will herald new treatments and strategies to stop strokes in young people.

Approximately 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year.

Professor of Clinical Neurology Pankaj Sharma, of Royal Holloway, University of London, said: 'This is an important breakthrough.'

The findings provide scientists with a greater understanding of how this gene appears to influence key functions, he added.

He continued: 'This could have major implications for the treatment of these severe and disabling conditions.'

Another 14,400 people without the disease were also studied.

Cervical artery dissection can lead to the adjacent nerves in the neck being compressed.

This can lead to blood clotting, which potentially causes blockages, which lead to strokes or even brain damage if the clots travel to the brain.