Whole-genome variance components linkage analysis using single-nucleotide polymorphisms versus microsatellites on quantitative traits of derived phenotypes from factor analysis of electroencephalogram waves
2005

Linkage Analysis of Alcohol Dependence Using EEG Traits

Sample size: 143 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Yu Yi, Meng Yan, Ma Qianli, Farrell John, Farrer Lindsay A, Wilcox Marsha A

Primary Institution: Boston University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will provide better linkage signals than microsatellites for quantitative traits related to alcohol dependence.

Conclusion

The study found a strong linkage of EEG factor F3 to chromosome 18, suggesting a genetic locus that may influence alcohol dependence.

Supporting Evidence

  • Factor analysis identified four underlying factors related to EEG traits.
  • Significant linkage evidence for factor F3 was found on chromosome 18.
  • Using SNPs provided higher LOD scores compared to microsatellites.

Takeaway

Scientists looked at brain wave patterns to find genes that might make people more likely to be alcoholics, and they found a specific area in the DNA that seems important.

Methodology

The study used factor analysis on EEG measures and performed variance components linkage analysis with SNP and microsatellite data.

Participant Demographics

Participants were families involved in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2156-6-S1-S15

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