The pillars of health: influence of multiple lifestyle behaviors on body mass index and depressive symptoms in adult twins
Duncan GE, Avery AR, Tsang S, Watson NF, Williams BD, Turkheimer E.
Duncan GE, Avery AR, Tsang S, Watson NF, Williams BD, Turkheimer E.
Sewaybricker LE, Melhorn SJ, Rosenbaum JL, Askren MK, Tyagi V, Webb MF, De Leon MRB, Grabowski TJ, Schur EA
Duncan GE, Hurvitz PM, Moudon AV, Avery AR, Tsang S.
Boakye KA, Amram O, Schuna JM, Duncan GE, Hystad P.
Afari N, Gasperi M, Dochat C, Wooldridge JS, Herbert MS, Schur EA, Buchwald DS.
Olatunji BO, Christian C, Strachan E, Levinson CA.
We are happy to share that a manuscript using data from the affectionate communication study has been published. Within twin pairs, identical twins were more highly correlated for expressed and received affection than fraternal twins, suggesting genetic influences play a role in affection. Using an ACE model, which is used in twin studies to estimate the contribution of genetics and the environment to a given phenotype such as affection, the study authors determined that 45% of the variance in expressed affectionate communication is heritable (due to genetics), and 0% is explained by the common environment. This means that shared influences such as being raised by the same parents in the same households had no impact on expressed affection. Only 21% of the variance in received affection was heritable. Given that received affection largely depends on others, it is not surprising to see that heritability is lower for this trait. These findings suggest that greater attention should be given to communicative behaviors by considering genetic and biological influences, and not just environmental influences.
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Sinclair VG, Adams SM, Dietrich M.
Cox RC, Taylor S, Strachan E, Olatunji BO.
Bunning BJ, Contrepois K, Lee-McMullen B, Dhondalay GKR, Zhang W, Tupa D, Raeber O, Desai M, Nadeau KC, Snyder MP, Andorf S.
Zhu Y, Strachan E, Fowler E, Bacus T, Roy-Byrne P, Zhao J.
Duncan GE, Avery A, Hurvitz PM, Moudon AV, Tsang S, Turkheimer E.
McCall CA, Turkheimer E, Tsang S, Avery A, Duncan GE, Watson NF.
Moudon AV, Huang R, Stewart OT, Cohen-Cline H, Noonan C, Hurvitz PM, Duncan GE.
Sewaybricker LE, Melhorn SJ, Askren MK, Webb MF, Tyagi V, De Leon MRB, Grabowski TJ, Seeley WW, Schur EA.
Avery AR, Duncan GE
Goldfarb DS, Avery AR, Beara-Lasic L, Duncan GE, Goldberg J.
Ramchandani MS, Jing L, Russell RM, Tran T, Laing KJ, Magaret AS, Selke S, Cheng A, Huang ML, Xie H, Strachan E, Greninger AL, Roychoudhury P, Jerome KR, Wald A, Koelle DM.
Aging is complex process, involving both genetic and non-genetic factors. Genetics contribute to the rate of change for bodily functions and risk of disease, but these changes can also be influenced by the environment. The goal of this study was to learn more about the genes that are related to healthy aging, and how the aging process is influenced by environmental factors. By looking at genetic information, physical condition, family history, medical history, and life experiences across participants, researchers may be able to determine how these factors work together to create the overall aging experience.
This study collected data from 2013 to 2014. 275 same-sex twins 65 and older participated, with more of a focus on fraternal twins. The average age of participants in this study was 75, and the oldest participants were 91. All data collection was completed at home. Twins completed a packet of questionnaires, provided a saliva sample, and provided a small sample of blood collected by a finger stick.