scholarly journals Genetics of Body Mass Stability and Risk for Chronic Disease: A 28-Year Longitudinal Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol E. Franz ◽  
Michael D. Grant ◽  
Kristen C. Jacobson ◽  
William S. Kremen ◽  
Seth A. Eisen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Ww Ii ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Adult Onset Diabetes ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

AbstractWe examined the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to body mass index (BMI) over approximately 28 years. Participants were 693 male, predominantly middle-class, twins (355 monozygotic, 338 dizygotic) from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. The phenotypic correlation between age 20 and age 48 BMI was 0.52; the genetic correlation was 0.60. Most of the remaining variance at both times was accounted for by nonshared environmental factors. Since genetic factors are not perfectly correlated, this indicates that other genes affect BMI at one or both time points, leaving room for further exploration of the genetics of body mass stability. Mean BMI increased significantly from 22.7 (normal) to 27.8 (overweight). Overweight BMI at age 20 predicted midlife adult onset diabetes (adjusted odds ratio = 4.62, 95% CI 1.91 to 11.18), but not hypertension. Depending on one's vantage point, the results indicate elements of both stability and change in BMI. Very similar phenotypic and genetic correlations were observed over a similar time period in a WW II twin sample, but without the substantial mean increase in BMI. It seems unlikely that different genes influence BMI in the two cohorts. Therefore, we argue that nonshared environmental factors are probably primarily responsible for the secular increase in midlife BMI. Our results also provide prospective evidence that early excess BMI may have serious long-term health consequences, and that this risk is not limited to minorities or adults of lower socioeconomic status.

Interaction Between Experience Seeking and Genetic and Environmental Influences on General Cognitive Ability

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna A. E. Vinkhuyzen ◽  
Sophie van der Sluis ◽  
Danielle Posthuma
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Adult Twins

Although it is well established that experience seeking behavior (ES) is positively related to cognitive functioning, the mechanisms underlying this association are not clearly understood. In a large sample of adult twins and siblings (N = 864, age range 23–75), we studied the causes of covariation between ES and general cognitive ability and we studied whether ES moderates the genetic and environmental causes of variation in general cognitive ability. Results demonstrate a phenotypic correlation of .17 (p <.001) between general cognitive ability and ES, with a common genetic and common environmental background. Moreover, the extent to which genetic and environmental factors are shared between general cognitive ability and ES is increased in individuals with either lower or higher levels of ES. In addition, the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence individual differences in general cognitive ability in adults partly depended on ES. Standardized influences of additive genetic factors on general cognitive ability ranged from 13% to 99%, with lower estimates in higher levels of ES, while standardized estimates of environmental factors ranged from almost 1% to 87%, with higher estimates in higher levels of ES. Hence, ES and cognitive ability are not only associated through common genetic and environmental factors, but also via moderating effects of genetic and environmental influences on cognitive ability by ES. These findings have implications for future studies on the association between ES and general cognitive ability, and for future research on the genetics of cognitive ability.

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 A longitudinal, population-based twin study of avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder traits from early to middle adulthood

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (16) ◽  
pp. 3539-3548 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Gjerde ◽  
N. Czajkowski ◽  
E. Røysamb ◽  
E. Ystrom ◽  
K. Tambs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Phenotypic Stability ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Adult Twins ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Background.The phenotypic stability of avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) has previously been found to be moderate. However, little is known about the longitudinal structure of genetic and environmental factors for these disorders separately and jointly, and to what extent genetic and environmental factors contribute to their stability.Method.AVPD and OCPD criteria were assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality in 2793 young adult twins (1385 pairs, 23 singletons) from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel at wave 1 and 2282 (986 pairs, 310 singletons) of these on average 10 years later at wave 2. Longitudinal biometric models were fitted to AVPD and OCPD traits.Results.For twins who participated at both time-points, the number of endorsed sub-threshold criteria for both personality disorders (PDs) decreased 31% from wave 1 to wave 2. Phenotypic correlations between waves were 0.54 and 0.37 for AVPD and OCPD, respectively. The heritability estimates of the stable PD liabilities were 0.67 for AVPD and 0.53 for OCPD. The genetic correlations were 1.00 for AVPD and 0.72 for OCPD, while the unique environmental influences correlated 0.26 and 0.23, respectively. The correlation between the stable AVPD and OCPD liabilities was 0.39 of which 63% was attributable to genetic influences. Shared environmental factors did not significantly contribute to PD variance at either waves 1 or 2.Conclusion.Phenotypic stability was moderate for AVPD and OCPD traits, and genetic factors contributed more than unique environmental factors to the stability both within and across phenotypes.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Genetic and Environmental Influences on Educational Attainment and Income

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 516-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ragnhild E. Ørstavik ◽  
Nikolai Czajkowski ◽  
Espen Røysamb ◽  
Gun Peggy Knudsen ◽  
Kristian Tambs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
The Relationship

In many Western countries, women now reach educational levels comparable to men, although their income remains considerably lower. For the past decades, it has become increasingly clear that these measures of socio-economic status are influenced by genetic as well as environmental factors. Less is known about the relationship between education and income, and sex differences. The aim of this study was to explore genetic and environmental factors influencing education and income in a large cohort of young Norwegian twins, with special emphasis on gender differences. National register data on educational level and income were obtained for 7,710 twins (aged 29–41 years). Bivariate Cholesky models were applied to estimate qualitative and quantitative gender differences in genetic and environmental influences, the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the correlation between education and income, and genetic correlations within and between sexes and phenotypes. The phenotypic correlation between educational level and income was 0.34 (0.32–0.39) for men and 0.45 (0.43–0.48) for women. An ACE model with both qualitative and quantitative sex differences fitted the data best. The genetic correlation between men and women (rg) was 0.66 (0.22–1.00) for educational attainment and 0.38 (0.01–0.75) for income, and between the two phenotypes 0.31 (0.08–0.52) for men and 0.72 (0.64–0.85) for women. Our results imply that, in relatively egalitarian societies with state-supported access to higher education and political awareness of gender equality, genetic factors may play an important role in explaining sex differences in the relationship between education and income.

Insulin resistance: an atherothrombotic syndrome

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (01) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Freeman ◽  
Michael Mansfield ◽  
Jenny Barrett ◽  
Peter Grant
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fasting Insulin ◽  
Significant Genetic Correlation ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Pai 1 ◽  
Shared Genetic

SummaryThe insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) is a clustering of atherothrombotic traits associated with increased vascular risk. We investigated the degree to which the phenotypic correlations between these traits are due to shared genetic and environmental factors.A multivariate genetic analysis was performed in 537 adults from 89 healthy white north European families. All traits showed significant heritability. BMI had significant genetic correlations with fasting insulin, systolic blood pressure (sBP), plasminogen activator activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibrinogen and triglyceride. Fasting insulin had a significant genetic correlation with fibrinogen and triglyceride and Factor VII (FVII). Significant genetic correlations were shown between triglyceride and PAI-1, fibrinogen and FVII. PAI-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) showed significant genetic correlation with sBP and with each other. Pleiotropy was demonstrated between fibrino-gen and PAI-1, t-PA and FVII. Significant environmental correlations were also demonstrated.This study demonstrates pleiotropy between coagulation and fibrinolytic factors. Shared genetic and environmental factors influencing haemostatic, metabolic and anthropometric traits underlie the atherothrombotic nature of the IRS.

Genetic and Environmental Control of Blood Pressure in Twins and Their Family Members

1987 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.V. Tishler ◽  
F.I. Lewitter ◽  
B. Rosner ◽  
F.E. Speizer
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Blood Pressure Level ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Adult Twins

AbstractAn interdisciplinary study, in adult twins and their family members, of the genetic and environmental determinants of complex physiologic functions is in progress. This report summarizes our initial studies of the control of the level of systolic (K1) and diastolic (K5) blood pressure in 202 monogygotic (MZ) and 121 dizygotic (DZ) twins, their spouses and their children. Correlation coefficients for blood pressure were adjusted for the covariates age, sex, body mass index (wt/ht2) and screener, all of which significantly augment most correlations. These adjusted correlation coefficients in MZ twins are 0.5 for both K1 and K5 blood pressure. For DZ twins, the adjusted correlation coefficients are 0.21 (K1) and 0.24 (K5). MZ twin-offspring adjusted correlation coefficients are higher than MZ twin-niece/nephew adjusted correlation coefficients (0.12 and 0.06, respectively, for K1; 0.20 and 0.13, respectively, for K5), despite the genetic identity of these relationships. That environmental factors may explain these differences is suggested by other differences in adjusted correlation coefficients that are greater than those predicted by the degree of genetic similarity. In addition, we have assessed the relationship between two biochemical-physiological processes, the urinary excretion of kallikrein and transport of sodium in the erythrocyte (the sodium countertransport and the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransport systems), and blood pressure control, since both have been implicated in the control of blood pressure level. Although we found evidence for substantial genetic control of both phenomena, we were unable to establish any correlation between either function and the level of blood pressure in our normotensive subjects.These data point to the operation of three broad categories of control of level of blood pressure: constitutional factors (age, sex, body mass), genetic factors and environmental factors. The identities of the genetic and environmental factors are unknown at this time.

Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Baran
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Developmental Genetic ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Mechanisms Of Plasticity

AbstractReductionist thinking in neuroscience is manifest in the widespread use of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Broader investigations of diverse behaviors in non-model organisms and longer-term study of the mechanisms of plasticity will yield fundamental insights into the neurobiological, developmental, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to the “massively multifactorial system networks” which go awry in mental disorders.

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