Nonparametric methods of linkage analysis (1)

In order to avoid problems arising from misspecification of the transmission model in lod score analysis, a number of methods of linkage analysis have been devised which do not require that the transmission model to be specified. In general, they rely on detecting the fact that affected subjects share marker alleles more often than would be expected by chance.

Nonparametric methods differ in terms of the types of pedigree structure they are applied to, whether they rely on identity-by-descent or identity-by-state information and the methods of analysis used.

Although they do not require specification of a transmission model, the power of the methods will depend on the true transmission model and so certain methods will work better with some types of model than others.

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