Extensions to Multivariate Normal Models for Pedigree Analysis
Hopper JL, Mathews JD
Annals of Human Genetics, 46(4):373-383 (1982)
Abstract
Lange, Westlake & Spence (1976) used the assumption of multivariate normality to apply a
likelihood method to the analysis of quantitative traits measured over pedigrees. We now
introduce a test of the assumption of multivariate normality and methods for the detection
of outlying families and outlying individuals. We also introduce a method for the estimation
of effects of measured genetic markers as variance components, a flexible parameterization
to estimate effects of shared family environment, and a method to allow for the
ascertainment of pedigrees through probands. These innovations have been applied using
numerical methods for maximization of the likelihood. Simulation studies and available
theory suggest that the likelihood ratio criterion used in significance testing follows the
expected asymptotic distribution with sample sizes encountered in typical applications.
Variance component linkage analysis