The German Twin Registry (GERTRUD): Towards Harmonized, Multisource Twin Research

Area of Science:

• Behavioral genetics
• Twin research
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Twin registries are crucial research infrastructures for lifespan phenotyping and data integration.
• Germany lacked a nationwide platform for large-scale twin and higher-order multiple research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the German Twin Registry Under Development (GERTRUD) as a national research platform.
• To support genetically informative research across psychology, sociology, health, and neuroscience.
• To facilitate national and international collaborative research.

Main Methods:

• GERTRUD utilizes a modular infrastructure for classical and extended twin family designs.
• It incorporates annual core surveys with optional modules for intensive phenotyping (e.g., neuroimaging, smartphone data, biosampling).
• Data integration includes geospatial information systems (GIS) for residential context linkage, with stringent data protection measures (pseudonymization, access control).

Main Results:

• GERTRUD was established in 2022 as Germany's first nationwide twin research platform.
• The registry supports multimodal data collection across diverse research areas.
• Early data implementations demonstrate its value for harmonization and replication.

Conclusions:

• GERTRUD provides a critical asset for integrative behavioral genetics research in Germany.
• Its flexible, modular design supports diverse research needs and collaborations.
• The platform is essential for advancing large-scale, genetically informative twin studies nationally and internationally.