This study provided support for better performance of dense SNP map compared with microsatellites for linkage analysis, even for traits with low heritability such as age at onset of alcoholism. This better performance is attributable to high map resolution achievable with dense SNP maps. Also, the more abundant genome-wide distribution of SNPs compared with microsatellites, and the availability of advanced genotyping technology to process rapidly and extract needed data from the samples place SNPs as very promising tools for linkage analysis.
