[Linkage analysis of six Algerian families with autosomal recessive non specific mental retardation].

Background: Mental retardation is one of the most frequent major handicap, with a 1-3 % frequency in the general population. The recent progress of molecular biology and cytogenetic allowed to identify new genes for non syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation.

Aim: To seek a genetic linkage to the loci implied in the nonspecific mental retardation transmitted into autosomal recessive (ARNSMR) in Algerian families with several affected members and to make the Genetic analysis of ARNSMR for 4 known loci: 3p25-pter; 4q24- q25, 19p13.