Suggestive evidence for linkage of schizophrenia to markers at chromosome 15q13-14 in Taiwanese families

In order to evaluate the linkage of schizophrenia to loci at chromosome 15q , we genotyped six microsatellite markers at chromosome 15q11-14 in 52 Taiw anese schizophrenic families. Two phenotype models (narrow: DSM-IV schizoph renia only; and broad: including schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and other nonaffective psychotic disorders) were used to define the disease phenotype . Maximum nonparametric linkage scores (NPL scores) of 3.33 (P = 0.0003) an d 2.96 (P = 0.0008) were obtained at the marker D15S976 under broad and nar row models, respectively. Positive linkage results were also observed at th e marker D15S1360, previously reported to have significant linkage to a neu rophysiological deficit of schizophrenia, with NPL scores of 2.71 (P = 0.00 3) and 2.78 (P = 0.002) under broad and narrow models, respectively. The re sults provide suggestive linkage evidence of schizophrenia to loci at chrom osome 15q13-14 in an ethnically distinct Taiwanese sample. (C) 2001 Wiley-L iss, Inc.