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A genome‐wide linkage analysis for the personality trait neuroticism in the Irish affected sib‐pair study of alcohol dependence
Author(s) -
Kuo PoHsiu,
Neale Michael C.,
Riley Brien P.,
Patterson Diana G.,
Walsh Dermot,
Prescott Carol A.,
Kendler Kenneth S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.30478
Subject(s) - neuroticism , linkage (software) , genetics , genetic linkage , trait , quantitative trait locus , biology , personality , psychology , social psychology , gene , computer science , programming language
Neuroticism is a personality trait which reflects individual differences in emotional stability and vulnerability to stress and anxiety. Consistent evidence shows substantial genetic influences on variation in this trait. The present study seeks to identify regions containing susceptibility loci for neuroticism using a selected sib‐pair sample from Ireland. Using Merlin regress, we conducted a 4 cM whole‐genome linkage analysis on 714 sib‐pairs. Evidence for linkage to neuroticism was found on chromosomes 11p, 12q, and 15q. The highest linkage peak was on 12q at marker D12S1638 with a Lod score of 2.13 (−log p = 2.76, empirical P ‐value <0.001). Our data also support gender specific loci for neuroticism, with male specific linkage regions on chromosomes 1, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16, and 22, and female specific linkage regions on chromosomes 2, 4, 9, 12, 13, and 18. Some genome regions reported in the present study replicate findings from previous linkage studies of neuroticism. These results, together with prior studies, indicate several potential regions for quantitative trait loci for neuroticism that warrant further study. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.