Performance of MAX test and degree of dominance index in predicting the mode of inheritance

We evaluate power performance to detect the correct mode of inheritance in gene-disease associations of two different approaches: the MAX test and the degree of dominance index or hindex. The MAX test is a special case of the conditional independence tests that simultaneously test for association and select the most likely genetic model based on a three-dimensional normal distribution. The h-index is based on the philosophy of using orthogonal contrasts to infer the mode of inheritance quantitatively. A population genetic model is developed where the real mode of inheritance is known a priori and power performance can be accurately determined. The simulations showed that none of the two approaches generally outperforms the other, nor each of them provides a panacea to estimate efficiently the mode of inheritance in all parameter space. However, the simultaneous application of both approaches can provide insights in determining the underlying mode of inheritance. © 2012 De Gruyter. All rights reserved.