Quantitative trait locus detection using combined linkage/disequilibrium analysis

Abstract

We describe an extension of the variance component linkage method that augments identity-by-descent information from relatives with identity-by- state information from unrelated individuals, exploiting disequilibrium to facilitate fine mapping of quantitative trait loci. An advantage of the combined linkage/disequilibrium test is that it detects association only in the presence of linkage and is not biased by population stratification.