Polygenic and monogenic forms of MI

Coordinator:		Prof. Dr. Jeanette Erdmann                                                              Prof. Dr. Heribert Schunkert                                                                 Prof. Dr. Christian Hengstenberg
Institution:		Universität zu Lübeck                                                               Universität zu Regensburg
Homepage:		www.uk-sh.de

The aim of our project is to identify genetic variants which significantly increase the risk for MI or the development of CAD. To achieve this goal, we have several tools at hand: our German MI Family Study, a very large set of high-risk MI families (n=1.423), several Mendelian multi-generation MI families (n=25) with more than 5 affected members; sporadic MI cases from the Augsburg area (KORA-B, n=606); and n=1.644 individuals from the general population. We propose to integrate the linkage analyses in sib pairs and families with GWA studies in members of the same sample in order to asses the genomic regions with strongest signals from either linkage or GWA analyses with different genetic and statiscal models, including the ordered subset analysis. Finally, our goal is to identify persons at high risk for potentially lethal cardiovascular events by integrating our genetic results into existing risk prediction models. These results will improve the understnading of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and will thus enable to develop new preventive strategies or potential drugable targets.