Maximizing the value of twin studies in health and behaviour

Fiona A. Hagenbeek*, Jana S. Hirzinger, Sophie Breunig, Susanne Bruins, Dmitry V. Kuznetsov, Kirsten Schut, Veronika V. Odintsova, Dorret I. Boomsma*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

In the classical twin design, researchers compare trait resemblance in cohorts of identical and non-identical twins to understand how genetic and environmental factors correlate with resemblance in behaviour and other phenotypes. The twin design is also a valuable tool for studying causality, intergenerational transmission, and gene–environment correlation and interaction. Here we review recent developments in twin studies, recent results from twin studies of new phenotypes and recent insights into twinning. We ask whether the results of existing twin studies are representative of the general population and of global diversity, and we conclude that stronger efforts to increase representativeness are needed. We provide an updated overview of twin concordance and discordance for major diseases and mental disorders, which conveys a crucial message: genetic influences are not as deterministic as many believe. This has important implications for public understanding of genetic risk prediction tools, as the accuracy of genetic predictions can never exceed identical twin concordance rates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)849-860
Number of pages12
JournalNature Human Behaviour
Volume7
Issue number6
Early online date15 May 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank N. G. Martin, C. V. Dolan, J. Couvée and J. van Dongen for their valuable contributions to the draft versions of this manuscript. The current work is supported by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Science Professor Award (no. PAH/6635) to D.I.B. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, Springer Nature Limited.

Funding

We thank N. G. Martin, C. V. Dolan, J. Couvée and J. van Dongen for their valuable contributions to the draft versions of this manuscript. The current work is supported by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Science Professor Award (no. PAH/6635) to D.I.B. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

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