Genetic epidemiology of type 1 diabetes.
Family and twin studies indicate that a substantial fraction of susceptibility to type 1 diabetes is attributable to genetic factors. These and other epidemiologic studies also implicate environmental factors as important triggers. Although the specific environmental factors that contribute to immune-mediated diabetes remain unknown, several of the relevant genetic factors have been identified using two main approaches: genome-wide linkage analysis and candidate gene association studies. This article reviews the epidemiology of type 1 diabetes, the relative merits of linkage and association studies, and the results achieved so far using these two approaches. Prospects for the future of type 1 diabetes genetics research are considered.
Hirschhorn
Joel N
JN
Divisions of Genetics and Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. joel.hirschhorn@tch.harvard.edu
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree