Large‐scale pedigree analysis leads to evidence for founder effects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in rhesus macaques (<i><scp>M</scp>acaca mulatta</i>)

Abstract

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.