Genome screen of 15 Australian bipolar affective disorder pedigrees supports previously identified loci for bipolar susceptibility genes.
OBJECTIVE
Despite many studies into the genetics of bipolar disorder (BP), the molecular causes underlying susceptibility to BP remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify chromosomal regions linked to BP in a new Australian extended pedigree cohort.


METHODS
We have conducted a parametric genome-wide linkage scan on 15 previously unreported Australian extended families with BP and related affective disorders, comprising 63 affected and 158 nonaffected individuals.


RESULTS
This study provides support for previously identified linkage regions on chromosomes 1p13-31, 3q24-25, 4q13-32, 10p11-q11, and 15q21-23, although none of these regions reached suggestive or significant evidence for linkage.


CONCLUSIONS
Although not providing statistically significant evidence for linkage in this study, these 15 families provide support for previously identified bipolar susceptibility loci, and may aid in localizing susceptibility genes for BP in a larger combined cohort framework.
Fullerton
Janice M
JM
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Liu
Zhixin
Z
Badenhop
Renee F
RF
Scimone
Anna
A
Blair
Ian P
IP
Van Herten
Mary
M
Donald
Jennifer A
JA
Mitchell
Philip B
PB
Schofield
Peter R
PR
D001315:Australia; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008126:Lod Score; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree