Epigenome-wide association study of physical activity and physiological parameters in discordant monozygotic twins
Duncan GE, Avery A, Thorson JLM, Nilsson EE, Beck D, Skinner MK.
Category Archives: Completed Studies
Cross-sectional associations between neighbourhood walkability and objective physical activity levels in identical twins
Duncan GE, Avery AR, Hurvitz P, Vernez-Moudon A, Tsang S
Reassessing relationships between appetite and adiposity in people at risk of obesity: a twin study using fMRI
Sewaybricker LE, Melhorn SJ, Rosenbaum JL, Askren MK, Tyagi V, Webb MF, De Leon MRB, Grabowski TJ, Schur EA
GPS-based built environment measures associated with adult
physical activity
Boakye KA, Amram O, Schuna JM, Duncan GE, Hystad P.
Measurement of neighborhood-based physical activity bouts
Duncan GE, Hurvitz PM, Moudon AV, Avery AR, Tsang S.
Global metabolic profiling to model biological processes of aging in twins.
Bunning BJ, Contrepois K, Lee-McMullen B, Dhondalay GKR, Zhang W, Tupa D, Raeber O, Desai M, Nadeau KC, Snyder MP, Andorf S.
Genome-wide profiling of DNA methylome and transcriptome in peripheral blood monocytes for major depression: A Monozygotic Discordant Twin Study.
Zhu Y, Strachan E, Fowler E, Bacus T, Roy-Byrne P, Zhao J.
Salience network connectivity is reduced by a meal and influenced by genetic background and hypothalamic gliosis.
Sewaybricker LE, Melhorn SJ, Askren MK, Webb MF, Tyagi V, De Leon MRB, Grabowski TJ, Seeley WW, Schur EA.
Viral genetics modulate orolabial HSV-1 shedding in humans.
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.
The Genetics and Epigenetics of Healthy Aging in Twins
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.
Published research from this study
DNA methylation associated with healthy aging of elderly twins.
Kim S, Wyckoff J, Morris AT, Succop A, Avery A, Duncan GE, Michal Jazwinski S.
Genetic and Environment Influences on Sleep, Pain, and Depression Symptoms in a Community Sample of Twins.
Gasperi M, Herbert M, Schur E, Buchwald D, Afari N.
Multilevel Pain Phenotyping (SIP2)
A full understanding of the mechanisms involved in chronic pain could make a significant difference in the quality of life of chronic pain patients, as well as healthcare costs and productivity. Previous clinical studies have found associations between pain conditions and levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a general indicator of inflammation in the body. This study examined the relationship between underlying pain sensitivity and CRP and other inflammatory markers.
Sleep Duration and Metabolism in Twins (Sleep)
This study looked at the relationship between how much sleep a person gets and how it influences metabolism and measures of inflammation, both of which are related to obesity. Fifty five (55) MZ twin pairs were invited to participate in this study. A twin study was done because it is the ideal way to look at how genes and environmental factors influence how much sleep we need. This is an important area of research that may help us better understand what controls how much sleep we need, and what impact getting too little sleep has on overall health.
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Personality, Stress and Cold Sores: A Twin Study
Results of a previous pilot study about oral herpes in twins suggested that there are genetic factors in an infected person that strongly influence the reactivation (waking up) of the HSV-1 virus from a dormant (sleeping) state to cause cold sores. The purpose of this study was to understand how the genes of the host, and environmental factors such as stress and personality, contribute to how a person’s body responds to oral herpes infections. A twin study was done because it is the ideal way to understand how genetic and environmental factors contribute to a condition.
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Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP)
A total of 99 female twin pairs (198 women) participated in this study to understand more about the causes and conditions associated with chronic widespread pain. This study examined perceptions of pain, factors related to sleep, hormones related to the body’s response to stress, and inflammatory markers that might affect sensitivity to pain. A twin study was done because one of the aims of the study was to discover if familial or environmental factors have a role in chronic pain.
An Interdisciplinary Study of Eating Behavior in Twins
Scientists have recently discovered a number of hormones that control appetite and regulate weight. These hormones travel in the bloodstream and some of them change rapidly with every meal. They influence when we get hungry, how full we feel and probably even what foods taste good to us. The main purpose of this study was to find out how genes and environmental factors contribute to the hormones controlling appetite and weight. This is an important area of research and may eventually help in finding new ways to help people avoid obesity or lose weight. A twin study was done because it is the ideal way to study the relative contribution of genes and the environment to a health condition.
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Gut Bacteria in Inflammation and Obesity
Obesity increases the risk of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. There is evidence that there may be a link between obesity and inflammation (irritation) in the body and the kinds of bacteria found in the gut. The goal of this study was to better understand how body weight in adults and the composition of their gut bacteria interact, and what role genetics and environment may play in this interaction. A twin study was done because it is the ideal way to study how genetics and the environment contribute to a condition.