Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Pipeline to Evaluate Genetic Determinants of Constitutional Disease
Published on: April 4, 2018
Genetic correlations of polygenic disease traits: from theory to practice
Wouter van Rheenen1, Wouter J Peyrot2, Andrew J Schork3
1Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands. w.vanrheenen-2@umcutrecht.nl.
Abstract:
The genetic correlation describes the genetic relationship between two traits and can contribute to a better understanding of the shared biological pathways and/or the causality relationships between them. The rarity of large family cohorts with recorded instances of two traits, particularly disease traits, has made it difficult to estimate genetic correlations using traditional epidemiological approaches. However, advances in genomic methodologies, such as genome-wide association studies, and widespread sharing of data now allow genetic correlations to be estimated for virtually any trait pair. Here, we review the definition, estimation, interpretation and uses of genetic correlations, with a focus on applications to human disease.
Related Concept Videos
Polygenic Traits
Trait Theory by Gordon Allport
Attribution Theory
Trait and State Self-Esteem
Multiple Allele Traits
Self-Discrepancy Theory

