Trial Information

A Genome-Wide Scan for Quantitative Trait Loci of Hematocrit - A Framingham Study

Many studies have shown that hematocrit (HCT) levels are associated with cerebrovascular
disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD), peripheral vascular disease, as well as all-cause
mortality. Twin studies have shown that HCT variation is largely determined by genetic
factors with heritability estimated as 40% - 65%. So far, no linkage analysis in humans
between HCT and DNA markers have been reported. The purpose of this protocol is to identify
chromosome regions that contain quantitative trait loci (QTL) involved in controlling HCT
levels. In the Framingham Study, a 10cM genome scan (about 400 markers) has been conducted
in 330 families. HCT was measured in the original cohort and Framingham offspring. These
data provide us the opportunity to undertake linkage analyses using variance component
method to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) of HCT.