Online-Datenbanken und systematische Metaanalysen komplex-genetischer Erkrankungen

Susceptibility to genetically complex disorders is determined by an unknown number of genetic determinants, and decades of intensive research have yielded hundreds of such potential susceptibility loci for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), schizophrenia (SZ), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The results of genome-wide association studies are now adding to an already vast and complicated body of data. To facilitate the evaluation and interpretation of these findings, we have recently created online databases for genetic association studies in AD, PD, SZ, and MS. In addition to providing detailed summaries for each eligible study, the databases present the results of allele-based meta-analyses for all polymorphisms with sufficient genotype data. In this review, we discuss the background and implications of the database approach developed by our group, using current findings from the AD (AlzGene) and PD (PDGene) databases as examples.