Linkage and Association
Robert C. Elston1
1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Rammelkamp
Center for Education and Research, Case Western Reserve
University, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Genetic Epidemiology ,
15(6), 565-576 (1998)
Abstract
Methods of both linkage analysis and association analysis may be model-based or
model-free. The former are useful for initial exploratory analysis, the latter for more
detailed multivariate genometric analysis. Linkage leads to an association, but that
association may be solely intrafamilial. Allelic association may be due to pleiotropy,
linkage disequilibrium, meiotic drive, selection, or population stratification. Using
non-transmitted parental alleles as controls for alleles transmitted to cases, in
conjunction with a McNemar-type test, does not detect association in the absence of
linkage. Model-based analyses should use models that approximate the complexity of
the disease being studied in order to be both robust and powerful.
Association Studies