Prenatal programming of behavior: a twin-study perspective.

Richard J Rose

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.12.001

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Prenatal programming of behavior: a twin-study perspective.

Richard J Rose

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Abstract

This paper reviews three designs that compare co-twins in tests of prenatal programming. The first design uses co-twin comparisons to attempt within-family replications of between-family associations, reported in non-twins, between reduced fetal growth and risk for later disease or behavior disorder. These replication efforts are mixed, perhaps due to small samples of weight-discordant twins, perhaps confounded by differences in the meaning of fetal growth in twins. The second design compares monozygotic co-twins from pairs differing in their placentation, with some evidence, again constrained by sample limitations that twins sharing a single placenta are more alike in dimensions of cognitive ability and personality. A third design employs a dermatoglyphic index of bilateral asymmetry as a marker of reduced buffering from environmental noise, with positive results from MZ twins that await necessary replication in longitudinal data from non-twins. Twin comparisons, especially the comparisons of monozygotic co-twins, offer an informative and incisive approach for research on prenatal programming in humans.

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Child Behavior Disorders Diseases in Twins Female Fetal Development Genetics, Behavioral Humans Infant, Newborn Placentation Pregnancy Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects Prospective Studies Social Environment Twin Studies as Topic Twins, Monozygotic Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Review

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Richard J Rose. 2005-01-18. Prenatal programming of behavior: a twin-study perspective.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.12.001

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