Performance of the nonparametric linkage analysis using GENEHUNTER for a complicated genetic disease

The nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis of the GENEHUNTER program was applied to one set of the simulated data of Problem 2, GAW11. We conducted a straightforward screening of the genome to evaluate the performance of the NPL test, with respect to its ability to detect linkage on specific disease loci. Our findings indicate that disease genes were detected with relatively good power, despite the presence of a complex inheritance pattern. We found that the NPL test varies depending on penetrance rates and gene frequencies, however, we conclude that it is a useful tool for linkage analysis.