Nonparametric Estimates of Gene × Environment Interaction Using Local Structural Equation Modeling.

ABSTRACT: Gene × environment (G × E) interaction studies test the hypothesis that the strength of genetic influence varies across environmental contexts. Existing latent variable methods for estimating G × E interactions in twin and family data specify parametric (typically linear) functions for the interaction effect. An improper functional form may obscure the underlying shape of the interaction effect and may lead to failures to detect a significant interaction. In this article, we introduce a novel approach to the behavior genetic toolkit, local structural equation modeling (LOSEM). LOSEM is a highly flexible nonparametric approach for estimating latent interaction effects across the range of a measured moderator. This approach opens up the ability to detect and visualize new forms of G × E inte

SUBMITTER: Briley DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5374877 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature