scholarly journals The “chicken-and-egg” development of political opinions

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Beattie
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Political Issue ◽  
Neurological Research ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Political Opinions

Twin studies have revealed political ideology to be partially heritable. Neurological research has shown that ideological differences are reflected in brain structure and response, suggesting a direct genotype-phenotype link. Social and informational environments, however, also demonstrably affect brain structure and response. This leads to a “chicken-and-egg” question: do genes produce brains with ideological predispositions, causing the preferential absorption of consonant information and thereby forming an ideology, or do social and informational environments do most of the heavy lifting, with genetic evidence the spurious artifact of outdated methodology? Or are both inextricably intertwined contributors? This article investigates the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to ideological development using a role-play experiment investigating the development of opinions on a novel political issue. The results support the view that the process is bidirectional, suggesting that, like most traits, political ideology is produced by the complex interplay of genetic and (social/informational) environmental influences.

scholarly journals The Brazilian Twin Registry

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 687-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo H. Ferreira ◽  
Vinicius C. Oliveira ◽  
Daniela R. Junqueira ◽  
Lígia C. Cisneros ◽  
Lucas C. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
Health History ◽  
Twin Registry ◽  
Governmental Institutions ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
The University ◽  
Different Sources

The Brazilian Twin Registry (BTR) was established in 2013 and has impelled twin research in South America. The main aim of the initiative was to create a resource that would be accessible to the Brazilian scientific community as well as international researchers interested in the investigation of the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the development of common diseases, phenotypes, and human behavior traits. The BTR is a joint effort between academic and governmental institutions from Brazil and Australia. The collaboration includes the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil, the University of Sydney and University of Melbourne in Australia, the Australian Twin Registry, as well as the research foundations CNPq and CAPES in Brazil. The BTR is a member of the International Network of Twin Registries. Recruitment strategies used to register twins have been through participation in a longitudinal study investigating genetic and environmental factors for low back pain occurrence, and from a variety of sources including media campaigns and social networking. Currently, 291 twins are registered in the BTR, with data on demographics, zygosity, anthropometrics, and health history having been collected from 151 twins using a standardized self-reported questionnaire. Future BTR plans include the registration of thousands of Brazilian twins identified from different sources and collaborate nationally and internationally with other research groups interested on twin studies.

A Behavioral-Genetic Study of Alexithymia and its Relationships with Trait Emotional Intelligence

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 539-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly M. Baughman ◽  
Sara Schwartz ◽  
Julie Aitken Schermer ◽  
Livia Veselka ◽  
K. V. Petrides ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Trait Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Behavioral Genetic ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire ◽  
Behavioral Genetic Study

The present study is the first to examine relationships between alexithymia and trait emotional intelligence (trait EI or trait emotional self-efficacy) at the phenotypic, genetic, and environmental levels. The study was also conducted to resolve inconsistencies in previous twin studies that have provided estimates of the extent to which genetic and environmental factors contribute to individual differences in alexithymia. Participants were 216 monozygotic and 45 dizygotic same-sex twin pairs who completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. In a pilot study, a sub-sample of 118 MZ and 27 DZ pairs also completed the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. Results demonstrated that a combination of genetic and non-shared environmental influences contribute to individual differences in alexithymia. As expected, alexithymia and trait EI were negatively correlated at the phenotypic level. Bivariate behavioral genetic analyses showed that that all but one of these correlations was primarily attributable to correlated genetic factors and secondarily to correlated non-shared environmental factors.

scholarly journals Workshop: Twins: a powerful study design to examine the role of genetics and environment for work incapacity

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Disability Pension ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Twin Design ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Abstract Twin design is an important tool to analyze the role of genetic and environmental factors, and to better understand causal mechanisms in public health research. Twin studies have reliably shown that genetic factors are important not only for physiological traits but also for psychological and health behavioral traits as well as for health-related work incapacity in terms of sick leave and disability pension. As many countries face an aging workforce, it is becoming ever more important to understand the underlying causes of work incapacity across the entire working life. In the past decade, twin data in combination with national register data have been used to deepen our understanding of the role of genetic and environmental influences on the complex processes of sick leave and disability pension. The aim of this workshop is to present and discuss methods and results of studies based on the large Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian twin cohorts. Linear structural equations are intensively utilized in modern methods of twin studies. A variety of models are available to answer different research questions, such as the dynamics behind associations between traits and developmental processes in longitudinal designs - models also applicable in health at work and social security. Further, analyzing twin pairs discordant for an outcome or risk factor (co-twin control) provides a unique possibility to control for familial (genetic and shared environmental) factors, since cases and controls are matched optimally being twins. Findings based on twin cohorts suggest that familial factors are relevant to many risk factors as well as for work incapacity. By controlling for these unobserved confounding factors, the co-twin control design may provide more accurate estimates of risk factors for work incapacity and complement the epidemiological findings of unrelated subjects. Based on population-based twin cohort studies with long follow-up, indications also exist that familial confounding may have different roles in the associations between risk factors and work incapacity. For example, in regard to various disability pension diagnosis groups and depending on study designs (one vs. two time points, longer vs. shorter follow-up etc.). Results from prospective studies on various risk factors, including adolescents’ mental health problems, for future sick leave and disability pension will be presented. Another presentation focuses on the stability and change in genetic and environmental factors influencing work incapacity from age 18 until retirement and the likelihood of causality between educational attainment, lifestyle and work incapacity. Finally, results on adverse outcomes of sick leave due to mental disorders using an open cohort design adjusting for familial factors will be presented. During the time of rapid development in molecular genetics, the twin study design has maintained its importance and will continue to cast light on different aspects of work incapacity. Key messages Twin design offers a unique tool in public health research to examine and control for familial (genetic and shared environmental) factors. Genetic factors seem to play an important role in understanding the complex causes of work incapacity in terms of sick leave and disability pension.

Methodology of genetic research in psychiatry

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
P. McGuffin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Autosomal Dominant ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Mendelian Inheritance ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Incomplete Penetrance ◽  
Adoption Studies ◽  
Complex Phenotypes ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Most forms of behaviour whether normal or abnormal, show a tendency to run in families. However, these can range from symptoms of dementia and movement disorder caused by the comparatively rare autosomal dominant Huntington's disease to common everyday aspects of behaviour such as religious persuasion or career choice. Normal behaviours and most common disorders do not show simple mendelian inheritance but instead have more complex patterns of transmission involving either major genes with incomplete penetrance, multiple genes of small effect, or a combination of the two. In addition, common complex phenotypes usually involve the combination of genetic and environmental factors. Therefore once family studies have shown that a disorder or trait is familial the next stage is to perform twin studies and, if possible adoption studies to investigate whether this results from shared genes, shared environment or a combination of the two.

scholarly journals Pediatric Alopecia Areata in Three Siblings

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-357
Author(s):  
Adele Shenoy ◽  
Carey Kim ◽  
Alice Gottlieb
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring inflammatory hair loss disorder with an incompletely defined pathogenesis. Prior studies have examined familial expression of AA, but few cases in the literature describe concurrent presentation amongst siblings. Our case demonstrates the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in the development of alopecia areata within families.

scholarly journals Autistic-like traits and their association with mental health problems in two nationwide twin cohorts of children and adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 2423-2433 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lundström ◽  
Z. Chang ◽  
N. Kerekes ◽  
C. H. Gumpert ◽  
M. Råstam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

BackgroundAutistic-like traits (ALTs), that is restrictions in intuitive social interaction, communication and flexibility of interests and behaviors, were studied in two population-based Swedish twin studies, one in children and one in adults: (1) to examine whether the variability in ALTs is a meaningful risk factor for concomitant attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, conduct problems, depression and substance abuse, and (2) to assess whether common genetic and environmental susceptibilities can help to explain co-existence of ALTs and traits associated with such concomitant problems.MethodTwo nationwide twin cohorts from Sweden (consisting of 11 222 children and 18 349 adults) were assessed by DSM-based symptom algorithms for autism. The twins were divided into six groups based on their degree of ALTs and the risk for concomitant mental health problems was calculated for each group. Genetic and environmental susceptibilities common to ALTs and the other problem types were examined using bivariate twin modeling.ResultsIn both cohorts, even the lowest degree of ALTs increased the risk for all other types of mental health problems, and these risk estimates increased monotonically with the number of ALTs. For all conditions, common genetic and environmental factors could be discerned. Overall, the phenotypic correlation between ALTs and the traits examined were less pronounced in adulthood than in childhood and less affected by genetic compared with environmental factors.ConclusionsEven low-grade ALTs are relevant to clinical psychiatry as they increase the risk for several heterotypical mental health problems. The association is influenced partly by common genetic and environmental susceptibilities. Attention to co-existing ALTs is warranted in research on a wide range of mental disorders.

scholarly journals Growth and Development of Dentofacial Complex influenced by Genetic and Environmental Factors using Monozygotic Twins

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 754-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
KK Manjusha ◽  
K Jyothindrakumar ◽  
A Nishad ◽  
K Madhav Manoj
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gonial Angle ◽  
Lateral Cephalograms ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

ABSTRACT Aim The purpose of this study was to determine the possible effects of genetic and environmental factors on dentofacial complex using monozygotic twins. Materials and methods The study sample was made of 21 pairs of monozygotic twins (14 female pairs and seven male pairs) between 10 and 25 years. Pretreatment lateral cephalograms were used which were traced and digitized, and various landmarks to determine the anteroposterior and vertical proportions were marked. Samples were divided into two groups. The correlation between groups was found by calculating Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients. Results The range of the correlation coefficient was from 0.705 to 0.952. Gonial angle showed the highest correlation coefficient (0.952), while saddle angle showed the lowest correlation coefficient (0.705). Conclusion The growth and development of craniofacial complex is under mutifactorial control. However, genetic influences do tend to play a dominant role. Clinical significance By studying identical twins, we can study about the interaction of the environment with the genes and how it affects the growth and development of the body in general and dentofacial complex in particular. By utilizing twin studies, we can identify whether a particular trait, disease, or disorder is influenced more strongly by genetics or by the environment. Success of orthodontic treatment depends on a proper diagnosis of the problem including its etiological factors. Genetic studies let the orthodontists to understand the effects of genetic and environmental factors in the growth and development of dentofacial complex better and allows to prevent or treat malocclusions and skeletal anomalies in better ways. How to cite this article Manjusha KK, Jyothindrakumar K, Nishad A, Manoj KM. Growth and Development of Dentofacial Complex influenced by Genetic and Environmental Factors using Monozygotic Twins. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):754-758.

scholarly journals Genetic and environmental factors of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder: insights from twin studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (11) ◽  
pp. 1501-1515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Imamura ◽  
Yoshiro Morimoto ◽  
Shinji Ono ◽  
Naohiro Kurotaki ◽  
Shinji Kanegae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Abstract Twin studies of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder have employed epidemiological approaches that determine heritability by comparing the concordance rate between monozygotic twins (MZs) and dizygotic twins. The basis for these studies is that MZs share 100% of their genetic information. Recently, biological studies based on molecular methods are now being increasingly applied to examine the differences between MZs discordance for psychiatric disorders to unravel their possible causes. Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have increased the accuracy of this line of research, there has been greater emphasis placed on epigenetic changes versus DNA sequence changes as the probable cause of discordant psychiatric disorders in MZs. Since the epigenetic status differs in each tissue type, in addition to the DNA from the peripheral blood, studies using DNA from nerve cells induced from postmortem brains or induced pluripotent stem cells are being carried out. Although it was originally thought that epigenetic changes occurred as a result of environmental factors, and thus were not transmittable, it is now known that such changes might possibly be transmitted between generations. Therefore, the potential possible effects of intestinal flora inside the body are currently being investigated as a cause of discordance in MZs. As a result, twin studies of psychiatric disorders are greatly contributing to the elucidation of genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of psychiatric conditions.

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