Abstract
This chapter briefly reviews the role of twin studies and study designs based on using twins in different settings. In the Nordic countries, twin registers and cohorts have existed already for many decades. These are a unique resource for scientific studies; a major strength being their unselected and representative nature. In the past years, biological samples are also being collected within the studies conducted on the Nordic twins.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Martin NG, Boomsma DI, Machin G. (1997) A twin-pronged attack on complex traits. Nat Genet 17, 387–392.
Boomsma D, Busjahn A, Peltonen L. (2002) Classical twin studies and beyond. Nat Rev Genet 3(11), 872–882.
Posthuma D, Beem AL, De Geus EJ, van Baal GC, von Hjelmborg JB, Iachine I et al. (2003) Theory and practice in quantitative genetics. Twin Res 6(5), 361–376.
Thomas DC. (2004) Statistical methods in genetic epidemiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Neale MC, Cardon LR. (1992) Methodology for genetic studies of twins and families. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic.
Mx: Statistical Modelling. Box 710 MCV, Richmond, Virginia 23298: Department of Psychiatry (1994).
Skytthe A, Kyvik K, Holm NV, Vaupel JW, Christensen K. (2002) The Danish Twin Registry: 127 birth cohorts of twins. Twin Res 5(5), 352–357.
Skytthe A, Kyvik K, Bathum L, Holm N, Vaupel JW, Christensen K. (2006) The Danish Twin Registry in the new millennium. Twin Res Hum Genet 9(6), 763–771.
Kaprio J, Pulkkinen L, Rose RJ. (2002) Genetic and environmental factors in health-related behaviors: studies on Finnish twins and twin families. Twin Res 5(5), 366–371.
Kaprio J, Koskenvuo M. (2002) Genetic and environmental factors in complex diseases: the older Finnish Twin Cohort. Twin Res 5(5), 358–365.
Kaprio J. (2006) Twin studies in Finland 2006. Twin Res Hum Genet 9(6), 772–777.
Bergem AL. (2002) Norwegian Twin Registers and Norwegian twin studies – an overview. Twin Res 5(5), 407–414.
Harris JR, Magnus P, Tambs K. (2006) The Norwegian Institute of Public Health twin program of research: an update. Twin Res Hum Genet 9(6), 858–864.
Pedersen NL, Lichtenstein P, Svedberg P. (2002) The Swedish Twin Registry in the third millennium. Twin Res 5(5), 427–432.
Lichtenstein P, Sullivan PF, Cnattingius S, Gatz M, Johansson S, Carlstrom E et al. (2006) The Swedish Twin Registry in the third millennium: an update. Twin Res Hum Genet 9(6), 875–882.
Kendler KS. (2001) Twin studies of psychiatric illness: an update. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58(11), 1005–1014.
Silventoinen K, Kaprio J, Lahelma E, Viken RJ, Rose RJ. (2003) Assortative mating by body height and BMI: Finnish twins and their spouses. Am J Hum Biol 15(5), 620–627.
Gertow K, Pietilainen KH, Yki-Jarvinen H, Kaprio J, Rissanen A, Eriksson P et al. (2004) Expression of fatty-acid-handling proteins in human adipose tissue in relation to obesity and insulin resistance. Diabetologia 47(6), 1118–1125.
Kannisto K, Pietilainen KH, Ehrenborg E, Rissanen A, Kaprio J, Hamsten A et al. (2004) Overexpression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 in adipose tissue is associated with acquired obesity and features of insulin resistance: studies in young adult monozygotic twins. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 89(9), 4414–4421.
Pietilainen KH, Rissanen A, Kaprio J, Makimattila S, Hakkinen AM, Westerbacka J et al. (2005) Acquired obesity is associated with increased liver fat, intra-abdominal fat, and insulin resistance in young adult monozygotic twins. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 288(4), E768–E774.
Pietilainen KH, Sysi-Aho M, Rissanen A, Seppanen-Laakso T, Yki-Jarvinen H, Kaprio J et al. (2007) Acquired obesity is associated with changes in the serum lipidomic profile independent of genetic effects – a monozygotic twin study. PLoS ONE 2, e218.
Pietilainen KH, Bergholm R, Rissanen A, Kaprio J, Hakkinen AM, Sattar N et al. (2006) Effects of acquired obesity on endothelial function in monozygotic twins. Obesity (Silver Spring) 14(5), 826–837.
Pietilainen KH, Kannisto K, Korsheninnikova E, Rissanen A, Kaprio J, Ehrenborg E et al. (2006) Acquired obesity increases CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and decreases adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue: a study in monozygotic twins. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 91(7), 2776–2781.
Pietilainen KH, Rissanen A, Laamanen M, Lindholm AK, Markkula H, Yki-Jarvinen H et al. (2004) Growth patterns in young adult monozygotic twin pairs discordant and concordant for obesity. Twin Res 7(5), 421–429.
Pietiläinen KH, Kaprio J, Borg P, Plasqui G, Yki-Järvinen H, Kujala UM, Rose RJ, Westerterp KR, Rissanen A. (2008) Physical inactivity and obesity: a vicious circle. Obesity 16, 409–414.
Fraga MF, Ballestar E, Paz MF, Ropero S, Setien F, Ballestar ML et al. (2005) Epigenetic differences arise during the lifetime of monozygotic twins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102(30), 10604–10609.
Berg K. (1992) Introductory remarks – risk factor levels and variability. Ann Med 24, 343–347.
Caspi A, Sugden K, Moffitt TE, Taylor A, Craig IW, Harrington H et al. (2003) Influence of life stress on depression: moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene. Science 301(5631), 386–389.
Caspi A, McClay J, Moffitt TE, Mill J, Martin J, Craig IW et al. (2002) Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children. Science 297(5582), 851–854.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Kaprio, J. (2011). Specific Advantages of Twin Registries and Biobanks. In: Dillner, J. (eds) Methods in Biobanking. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 675. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-423-0_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-423-0_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-995-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-423-0
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols