Meta-analysis of whole-genome linkage scans for intracranial aneurysm

Genetic predisposition likely plays an important role in the development of intracranial aneurysms. We carried out a genome search meta-analysis to identified loci associated with intracranial aneurysm. We identified previous whole-genome linkage analyses by searching PUBMED. Five studies reported by separate investigators where detailed data could be obtained were included in our analysis. We synthesized the available genome-wide scan data by using a heterogeneity-based genome search meta-analyses. We identified two linkage sites on chromosomes 3 and 17 which had P-values <0.01 for association with intracranial aneurysm. Our findings confirm the association of a locus on chromosome 17 and identify a new linkage site on chromosome 3 for intracranial aneurysm. The new locus contains a number of potential gene candidates including kininogen-1 precursor, fibroblast growth factor-12 and endothelin converting enzyme 2.