Abstract: This invention provides nucleic acid segments derived from the neurokinin 1 receptor (TACR 1) locus of the human genome, including polymorphic sites. Allele-specific primers and probes hybridizing to these sites and to regions flanking these sites are also provided. This invention further provides methods of analyzing a nucleic acid from an individual or a group of individuals. The nucleic acids, primers, and probes are useful for applications including forensics, paternity testing, medicine, e.g., the correlation of polymorphisms with phenotypic traits, and genetic analysis, e.g., genetic mapping of such phenotypic traits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reliably detecting an increased risk of developing an inflammatory disorder in a mammalian patient (e.g., a human being) by detecting at least one copy of an IL-1&bgr; gene haplotype in the patient comprising cytosine nucleotides at positions −31 and +3953. Also provided are kits for performing such methods. In addition, methods for detecting patients who require a higher dosage of an agent that reduces the effect of IL-1&bgr; are also provided.