title: Assessment of variance components models on pedigrees using cholesterol, low-density, and high-density lipoprotein measurements.
abstract: Plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) measurements on 402 individuals in 62 randomly selected families from the Columbia Medical Plan population were used to select the "best" model among a series of multifactorial models using the maximum likelihood method described by Lange et al [1976]. These models included both genetic and nongenetic components of variance. The most parsimonious model for each trait was selected and examined using a goodness-of-fit statistic designed by Hopper and Mathews [1982] to test the assumptions of this technique. A simple additive genetic model was the most plausible for all three measurements, suggesting a strong role for genetic factors in determining lipid and lipoprotein levels in these data. Goodness-of-fit statistics for these models were examined and showed little evidence of deviation from the assumption of multivariate normality within pedigrees. This approach of selecting the most parsimonious model among a series of competing models and then assessing its goodness-of-fit has many applications in studying familial aggregation of quantitative traits.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010375:Pedigree
chemical_list: D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol