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We conducted a genomewide linkage screen of a simple heavy-smoking quantitative trait, the maximum number of cigarettes smoked in a 24-h period, using two independent samples: 289 Australian and 155 Finnish nuclear multiplex families, all of which were of European ancestry and were targeted for DNA analysis by use of probands with a heavy-smoking phenotype. We analyzed the trait, using a regression of identity-by-descent allele sharing on the sum and difference of the trait values for relative pairs. Suggestive linkage was detected on chromosome 22 at 27-29 cM in each sample, with a LOD score of 5.98 at 26.96 cM in the combined sample. After additional markers were used to localize the signal, the LOD score was 5.21 at 25.46 cM. To assess the statistical significance of the LOD score in the combined sample, 1,000 simulated genomewide screens were conducted, resulting in an empirical P value of .006 for the LOD score of 5.21. This linkage signal is driven mainly by the microsatellite marker D22S315 (22.59 cM), which had a single-point LOD score of 5.41 in the combined sample and an empirical P value !.001 from 1,000 simulated genomewide screens. This marker is located within an intron of the gene ADRBK2, encoding the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 2. Fine mapping of this linkage region may reveal variants contributing to heaviness of smoking, which will lead to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying nicotine dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migraine is a complex neurovascular disorder with substantial evidence supporting a genetic contribution. Prior attempts to localize susceptibility loci for common forms of migraine have not produced conclusive evidence of linkage or association. To date, no genomewide screen for migraine has been published. We report results from a genomewide screen of 50 multigenerational, clinically well-defined Finnish families showing intergenerational trans-mission of migraine with aura (MA). The families were screened using 350 polymorphic microsatellite markers, with an average intermarker distance of 11 cM. Significant evidence of linkage was found between the MA phenotype and marker D4S1647 on 4q24. Using parametric two-point linkage analysis and assuming a dominant mode of inheritance, we found for this marker a maximum LOD score of 4.20 under locus homogeneity (P = .000006 ) or locus heterogeneity (P = .000011 ). Multipoint parametric (HLOD = 4.45; P= .0000058) and nonparametric (NPL&suball; = 3.43; P = .0007) analyses support linkage in this region. Statistically significant linkage was not in any other chromosomal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the genome scan for loci predisposing to distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) osteoarthritis (OA). Schematic presentation of the identification of subjects with DIP OA; Analysis on the pairwise linkage and multi-point nonparameters; Evidence found on the potential involvement of chromosomes in the genetic predisposition to DIP OA.