Genetic linkage analysis of simulated complex disease data

The purpose of this analysis was to apply current analytic methods to a sim ulated data set with a recognized genetic model in order to identify the lo ci that affect a complex disease, detect evidence for the interaction among two of the loci, and detect the gene-environment interaction. The followin g analytic tools were used: two multipoint linkage analysis programs, a str atification strategy based on the results of the multipoint analysis, and a case-control analysis using discordant sib pair data. The results were con sistent with the underlying genetic model: a disease due to a major gene on chromosome 3 associated with an environmental risk factor, and two minor i nteracting loci on chromosomes I and 5. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.