Module 11: Polygenic Risk Scores

Question 1

Polygenicity

Answer 1

• Multiple-gene inheritance

- Combination of many genes give a predisposition for a certain disease

Question 2

How are polygenic risk scores obtained?

Answer 2

• Use SNP’s to identify variants
• Do genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify variants the individual has based on the SNP’s
• Weigh the variants - some have heavier effects than others

Question 3

(T/F) Polygenic risk scores vary between ethnicities

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What data is used to identify genetic factors that are used in polygenic risk scores?

Answer 4

Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)

Question 5

What is an important consideration when applying polygenic risk scores in healthcare?

Answer 5

The ethnic background of the original study population