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Chorion type as a possible influence on the results and interpretation of twin study data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Carol A Prescott*
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. cprescott@hsc.vcu.edu
Ronald C Johnson
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA.
John J McArdle
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
*
*Correspondence: Dr CA Prescott, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, PO Box 980126, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. Tel: (804) 828 5968; Fax: (804) 828 1471;

Abstract

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The estimation of genetic effects from twin studies usually relies upon the equal environment assumption — that monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twin pairs experience equal similarity of their environments from prenatal experiences through adulthood. However, the sharing of a chorion may make a subset of identical twins more similar, or in some cases, more different, than twins that do not share a chorion. Recent studies suggest monochorionic MZ twins resemble one another more than dichorionic MZ twins in cognitive abilities, personality, and risk for psychiatric disorder. To the extent that prenatal environment affects these characteristics, the traditional twin method will yield biased estimates of genetic and environmental influences. We develop models for quantifying this bias and estimating the influence of chorion type on estimates of heritability.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999