USE OF ISOLATED INBRED HUMAN-POPULATIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF DISEASE GENES

The genetic mapping of disease loci involves the use of patient phenot ype and genotype data in the search for genetic markers that segregate , or are associated with, a trait or disorder. Genetically isolated po pulations offer many advantages for such studies. The high degree of i nbreeding and/or founder effects in some small population isolates res ult in an increased incidence of recessive disorders. Monogenic disord ers are less likely to show nonallelic heterogeneity in isolated popul ations than in more diverse populations. The use of isolated populatio ns also reduces the complexity of polygenic disorders by reducing the number of loci probably involved in the disorder. Finally, a variety o f strategies can be used with particular efficacy for the mapping of d isease genes in isolated populations.