Correlation between quantitative traits and correlation between corresponding LOD scores: detection of pleiotropic effects
2003

Correlation of Traits and Linkage Analysis Results

Sample size: 4095 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ulgen Ayse, Han Zhihua, Li Wentian

Primary Institution: G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University

Hypothesis

Do statistical correlations among quantitative traits lead to correlation of linkage results of these traits?

Conclusion

Studying covariances at specific locations in LOD scores may provide clues for further bivariate linkage analyses.

Supporting Evidence

  • Correlation among phenotypes partially reflects the correlation among linkage analysis results.
  • The most significant peaks found by using different traits do not often overlap.
  • HDL is negatively correlated with all other variables.
  • The derived quantity, cholesterol ratio, is highly correlated with log(TG).
  • Significant differences in traits were found between males and females.

Takeaway

The study looks at how different traits are related and whether their genetic signals match up. It finds that just because two traits are related, it doesn't mean their genetic signals will be the same.

Methodology

The study used data from the Framingham Heart Study, applying Pearson's correlation coefficients and linkage analysis using the MERLIN program.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the reliance on self-reported data and the differences in data completeness between cohorts.

Limitations

The analysis relies on data from two cohorts with differing amounts of missing data, which may affect reliability.

Participant Demographics

Participants included older and younger generations from the Framingham Heart Study, with measurements taken for various quantitative traits.

Statistical Information

P-Value

5.6 × 10-7

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2156-4-S1-S60

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