title: Some capabilities for model-based and model-free linkage analysis using the program package S.A.G.E. (Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology).
abstract: For both model-free and model-based linkage analysis the S.A.G.E. (Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology) program package has some unique capabilities in analyzing both continuous traits and binary traits with variable age of onset. Here we highlight model-based linkage analysis of a quantitative trait (plasma dopamine β hydroxylase) that is known to be largely determined by monogenic inheritance, using a prior segregation analysis to produce the best fitting model for the trait. For a binary trait with variable age of onset (schizophrenia), we illustrate how using age of onset information to obtain a quantitative susceptibility trait leads to more statistically significant linkage signals, suggesting better power.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Schnell
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Igo
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Elston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008957:Models, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012984:Software; D055815:Young Adult