Methodological aspects of the assessment of gene-nutrient interactions at the population level.
Nutritional-related diseases are the result of complex interactions between genes and diet. The understanding of these interactions will provide the rationale for dietary interventions based on the individual's genetic constitution. However, the approach to this kind of study is not easy, the complexity of the interactions increasing exponentially the dimensionality of the problem. The aim of this review is to analyze the major problems that arise in approaching complex interactions at the population level. Furthermore, several statistical tools available for this type of analysis are discussed. In conclusion, although analytic techniques able to reduce the dimensionality of the problem are suggested, sample size requirement seems to remain an inescapable challenge for the researcher. A synergy between traditional and nontraditional statistical approaches could be useful.
Cocozza
Sergio
S
Complex Disease Genetics Unit, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathology, University Federico II, IEOS CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80136 Naples, Italy. cocozza@unina.it <cocozza@unina.it>
D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000235:genetics; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011786:Quality Control; D018570:Risk Assessment