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This study examined Autism Diagnostic Interviews Revised (ADI-R) data for 69 autistic subjects from multiplex (MP) families (with more than one autistic member) and 88 autistic subjects from singleton (SP) families (with only one autistic member). Multivariate analysis revealed no differences between verbal or nonverbal MP and SP groups for ADI-R scores in social interaction, communication, and restrictive/repetitive behaviors. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

Etiologic heterogeneity is a fundamental feature of complex disease etiology; genetic linkage analysis methods to map genes for complex traits that acknowledge the presence of genetic heterogeneity are likely to have greater power to identify subtle changes in complex biologic systems. We investigate the use of trait-related covariates to examine evidence for linkage in the presence of heterogeneity. Ordered-subset analysis (OSA) identifies subsets of families defined by the level of a trait-related covariate that provide maximal evidence for linkage, without requiring a priori specification of the subset. We propose that examining evidence for linkage in the subset directly may result in a more etiologically homogeneous sample. In turn, the reduced impact of heterogeneity will result in increased overall evidence for linkage to a specific region and a more distinct lod score peak. In addition, identification of a subset defined by a specific trait-related covariate showing increased evidence for linkage may help refine the list of candidate genes in a given region and suggest a useful sample in which to begin searching for trait-associated polymorphisms. This method provides a means to begin to bridge the gap between initial identification of linkage and identification of the disease predisposing variant(s) within a region when mapping genes for complex diseases. We illustrate this method by analyzing data on breast cancer age of onset and chromosome 17q [Hall et al., 1990, Science 250:1684-1689]. We evaluate OSA using simulation studies under a variety of genetic models., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Autistic disorder (AutD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant impairment in social, communicative, and behavioral functioning. A genetic basis for AutD is well established with as many as 10 genes postulated to contribute to its underlying etiology. We have completed a genomic screen and follow-up analysis to identify potential AutD susceptibility loci. In stage one of the genome screen, 52 multiplex families (two or more AutD affected individuals/family) were genotyped with 352 genetic markers to yield an approximately 10 centimorgan (cM) grid, inclusive of the X chromosome. The selection criterion for follow-up of interesting regions was a maximum heterogeneity lod score (MLOD) or a maximum nonparametric sib pair lod score (MLS) of at least 1.0. Eight promising regions were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 15, 18, 19, and X. In the stage two follow-up study we analyzed an additional 47 multiplex families (total=99 families). Regions on chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 15, 19, and X remained interesting (MLOD> or =1.0) in stage two analysis. The peak lod score regions on chromosomes 2, 7, 15, 19, and X overlap previously reported peak linkage areas. The region on chromosome 3 is unique., (Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)