ROCK is hyper-activated in endothelial cells in neurovascular disorders, including the disease of  cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM),  also called cavernous angioma, a serious genetic disease where endothelial lesions in the brain become leaky and bleed. There is no treatment for CCM except invasive surgery. ROCK is a target for treatment because the genetic mutation leading to angioma causes ROCK hyper-activation in brain capillary endothelial cells. Treatments effective for CCM also have utility in treating the blood brain defects in other neurovascular disorders, including stroke.