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. 1990 May;46(5):879–887.

Segregation analysis of alcoholism in families ascertained through a pair of male alcoholics.

C E Aston 1, S Y Hill 1
PMCID: PMC1683602  PMID: 2339688

Abstract

To determine the nature of the genetic component controlling liability to alcoholism, complex segregation analysis was performed on 35 multigenerational families each ascertained through a pair of male alcoholics. The results suggest that liability to alcoholism is, in part, controlled by a major effect with or without additional multifactorial effects. Mendelian transmission of this major effect was rejected, as was the hypothesis that the major effect is due to a single major locus. Absence of this major effect, leaving only multifactorial effects, was also rejected. Some sources for the non-Mendelian character of the major effect are suggested, such as a combination of two or more Mendelian loci, the presence of phenocopies, sex-dependent differences in the underlying liability model, or heterogeneity in the alcoholism phenotype. Evidence for and against each is discussed.

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Selected References

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