Meta-analysis of genetic linkage to quantitative trait loci with study-specific covariates: a mixed-effects model

A method of meta-analysis was used to combine summary linkage information from four hypothetical study groups simulated in GAW11 Problem 2 with no knowledge of the answer. Five replication studies were selected from each group, and a pool of 20 primary studies was used for combining. Using a mixed-effects model with the among-study variation as random effects, we pooled results from all the 20 studies and detected strong linkage signals on chromosome 5 at D5G38 and on chromosome 3 near D3G45. We also found suggestive signals on chromosome 1 near D1G9, and possible interaction of D1G24 with the selection for the severe form of the disease.