Genetic Study of Blood Lipids in the Framingham Heart Study
Author Information
Author(s): Kathiresan Sekar, Manning Alisa K, Demissie Serkalem, D'Agostino Ralph B, Surti Aarti, Guiducci Candace, Gianniny Lauren, Burtt Nöel P, Melander Olle, Orho-Melander Marju, Arnett Donna K, Peloso Gina M, Ordovas Jose M, Cupples L Adrienne
Primary Institution: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study
Hypothesis
Common genetic variants explain a proportion of the inter-individual variability in LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG.
Conclusion
The study did not identify any new genetic loci associated with blood lipid variability despite initial promising associations.
Supporting Evidence
- Long-term averages of LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were highly heritable.
- Two SNPs had p < 10-5 in GEE results for LDL-C.
- Validation in additional samples did not identify any new loci underlying variability in blood lipids.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at people's genes to see how they affect cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, but they didn't find any new important genes that explain these differences.
Methodology
Genome-wide association study using Affymetrix 100K GeneChip to analyze blood lipid traits in Framingham Heart Study participants.
Potential Biases
Potential for false positives due to the large number of tests conducted.
Limitations
Limited statistical power to detect common SNPs explaining less than 1% of trait variance and confinement to a single ancestral group.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 47 years, 52% women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<10-5
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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