A whole genome screen for linkage in Turkish multiple sclerosis

Journal Of Neuroimmunology, no.143, pp.17-24, 2003 (SCI-Expanded)

M. Eraksoya,*,1, M. Kurtuncua,b,1, G. Akman-Demira, M. Kılıncc, M. Gedizlioglud, M. Mirzae,

O¨

. Anlarf, C. Kutlug, M. Demirkıranh, H.A. I˙drisoglua, A. Compstonb, S. Sawcerb

The Turkish Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Study Group (TMSGSG)2

a Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, University of Istanbul, C¸ apa, Istanbul TR-34390, Turkey

b Neurology Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK

c Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Baskent, Ankara, Turkey

d Department of Neurology, Buca Social Security Hospital, I˙zmir, Turkey

e Department of Neurology, Gevher Nesibe Faculty of Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey

f Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yu¨zu¨ncu¨ yıl, Van, Turkey

g Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osmangazi, Eskisehir, Turkey

hDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of C¸ukurova, Adana, Turkey

Abstract

Factors exerting recessive effects on susceptibility to complex traits are expected to be over-represented in communities having a higher

frequency of consanguineous marriage. Multiple sclerosis, a typical complex trait, is relatively common in Turkey where cultural factors also

determine a high rate of consanguineous marriage. Previous genetic studies of multiple sclerosis in Turkey have been confined to the search

for associations with candidate genes. In order to exploit the special genetic features of the Turkish population, we performed a whole

genome screen for linkage in 43 Turkish multiplex families employing 392 microsatellite markers. Two genomic regions where maximum

lod score (MLS) values were suggestive of linkage were identified (chromosomes 13q and 18q23) along with a further 14 regions of potential

linkage. Parametric analysis of these data using a recessive model, appropriate for populations with a high frequency of consanguinity,

increased the LOD scores in four regions.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Turkey; Genome screen; Linkage

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2003.08.006