Genetic analysis of the maximum drinks phenotype.
Using data provided by the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism we studied the genetics of a quantitative trait: the maximum number of drinks consumed in a 24-hour period. A two-stage method was used. First, linkage analysis was performed, followed by association analysis in regions where linkage was detected. Additionally, the extent of linkage disequilibrium among single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with the phenotype was assessed. Linkage to chromosomes 2 and 7 was detected, and follow-up association analysis found multiple trait-associated SNPs in the chromosome 7 linkage region. Chromosome 4, which has been implicated in previous studies of the maximum drinks phenotype, did not pass our threshold for linkage evidence in stage 1, but secondary analyses of this chromosome indicated modest evidence for both linkage and association. The evidence suggests that chromosome 7 may harbor an additional locus influencing the maximum drinks consumption phenotype.
Saccone
Scott F
SF
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. ssaccone@link.wustl.edu
Saccone
Nancy L
NL
Neuman
Rosalind J
RJ
Rice
John P
JP
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics*; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012044:Regression Analysis