Large-scale pedigree analysis leads to evidence for founder effects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Abstract
Background
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the abnormal thickening of the ventricles and an increase in cardiac mass.
Methods
Pedigree analyses involving 108 rhesus macaques with pronounced HCM were performed.
Results
Analyses revealed a strong genetic predisposition to this disease.
Conclusions
Macaques are ideal for investigating HCM because of their marked similarity to humans genetically, physiologically, and anatomically.