Chunk #108 — III. Selected Methodological Issues — C. Analyses — 1. Achieving significant genome wide association in single samples vs seeking replication and generalization in multiple samples
us to combine datasets in which different marker sets are used. With each of these limitations, it is clear that subsequent followup analyses are required. Analyses in the same and in additional independent samples are required to untangle any locus heterogeneity, to unequivocally identify which individual SNPs are associated, to identify pathological haplotypes and the phases with which they are associated with phenotypes in samples from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. While we describe examples of such follow-up studies for the NrCAM and NRXN3 genes below, it is important to note the limited numbers of genes for which such confirmatory follow-up data is available. In many circumstances, we believe that this sort of follow-up requires molecular biologic, behavioral and other evidence to buttress the data that comes from association genetics alone.
