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Applied Computational Genomics pp 11–20Cite as

Concepts of Genetic Epidemiology

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Part of the book series: Translational Bioinformatics ((TRBIO,volume 1))

Abstract

The major aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the field of genetic epidemiology and its relevance to the identification of the causes and risk factors for human diseases. The most important goal of the methods of genetic epidemiology is to elucidate the joint contribution of genes and environmental exposures to the etiology of complex diseases. The key study designs used to achieve this goal including family, twin, adoption, and migration studies are summarized. The field of genetic epidemiology is expected to have increasing importance with advances in molecular genetics.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 35 Convent Drive, MSC#3720, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Kathleen Ries Merikangas Ph.D.

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  1. Kathleen Ries Merikangas Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kathleen Ries Merikangas Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, 20892, USA

    Yin Yao Shugart

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Merikangas, K.R. (2012). Concepts of Genetic Epidemiology. In: Shugart, Y. (eds) Applied Computational Genomics. Translational Bioinformatics, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5558-1_2

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