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Application of two machine learning algorithms to genetic association studies in the presence of covariates.

ABSTRACT: Population-based investigations aimed at uncovering genotype-trait associations often involve high-dimensional genetic polymorphism data as well as information on multiple environmental and clinical parameters. Machine learning (ML) algorithms offer a straightforward analytic approach for selecting subsets of these inputs that are most predictive of a pre-defined trait. The performance of these algorithms, however, in the presence of covariates is not well characterized.In this manuscript, we investigate two approaches: Random Forests (RFs) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS). Through multiple simulation studies, the performance under several underlying models is evaluated. An application to a cohort of HIV-1 infected individuals receiving anti-retroviral therapies is also provided.Consistent with more traditional regression modeling theory, our findings highlight the importance of considering the nature of underlying gene-covariate-trait relationships before applying ML algorithms, particularly when there is potential confounding or effect mediation.

SUBMITTER: Nonyane BA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2620353 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Application of two machine learning algorithms to genetic association studies in the presence of covariates.

Nonyane Bareng A S BA Foulkes Andrea S AS

BMC genetics 20081114

<h4>Background</h4>Population-based investigations aimed at uncovering genotype-trait associations often involve high-dimensional genetic polymorphism data as well as information on multiple environmental and clinical parameters. Machine learning (ML) algorithms offer a straightforward analytic approach for selecting subsets of these inputs that are most predictive of a pre-defined trait. The performance of these algorithms, however, in the presence of covariates is not well characterized.<h4>Me ...[more]

PMID: 19014573

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Dataset Information

Application of two machine learning algorithms to genetic association studies in the presence of covariates.

Publications

Application of two machine learning algorithms to genetic association studies in the presence of covariates.

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