Heritability and demographic analyses in the large isolated population of Val Borbera suggest advantages in mapping complex traits genes.

Background: Isolated populations are a useful resource for mapping complex traits due to shared stable environment, reduced genetic complexity and extended Linkage Disequilibrium (LD) compared to the general population. Here we describe a large genetic isolate from the North West Apennines, the mountain range that runs through Italy from the North West Alps to the South.

Methodology/principal Findings: The study involved 1,803 people living in 7 villages of the upper Borbera Valley.