title: Study design for genetic analysis in the Jackson Heart Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes the preparation of genetic materials and the recruitment and initial characterization of a nested Family Study within the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) METHODS: Genomic DNA was prepared from all consenting JHS participants. In addition, family members of a subset of JHS participants were recruited to the JHS Family Study to allow heritability and linkage analyses and family-based association studies. Family Study participants completed the same questionnaires, measures, and procedures as all other JHS participants and provided blood samples for lymphocyte cryopreservation and transformation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA samples were obtained from 4726 JHS participants, including 1499 members of 291 families. In the family cohort, estimated heritabilities of body mass index, selected lipid levels, and blood pressure are highly significant, supporting the validity of the sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The JHS data and genetic materials (DNA and cryopreserved cells) offer valuable opportunities to identify susceptibility alleles for common complex diseases by positional and candidate gene approaches.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Examination Center, Jackson Heart Study, University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA. james.wilson1@med.va.gov
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Charles N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Rotimi
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ekunwe
authors.forename: Charmaine D M
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Royal
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Crump
authors.forename: Sharon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Steffes
authors.forename: Adebowale
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Herman A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Cashell
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jaquish
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D010375:Pedigree; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012107:Research Design; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D004247:DNA