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Related Experiment Videos

Twins with schizophrenia: genes or germs?

J O Davis1, J A Phelps

  • 1Dept. of Psychology, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield 65804-0027, USA.

Schizophrenia Bulletin
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Genetics aren't the only factor in schizophrenia. Shared prenatal environments, like viral infections in monochorionic twins, significantly influence schizophrenia concordance rates in identical twins.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • High concordance rates for schizophrenia in monozygotic (identical) twins suggest a strong genetic component.
  • However, shared prenatal environments, including potential viral infections, can also influence these rates, even in twins separated at birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of prenatal environment, specifically viral infections, in schizophrenia concordance among monozygotic twins.
  • To use placentation status as a proxy for shared prenatal environment and infection risk.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewed published twin studies focusing on schizophrenia concordance and handedness.
  • Utilized handedness concordance as a retrospective marker for placentation status (monochorionic vs. dichorionic).
  • Compared psychosis concordance rates between monozygotic twin pairs with same-hand vs. opposite-hand preferences.

Main Results:

  • Monozygotic twin pairs with opposite-hand preferences showed a 60% concordance for psychosis (9/15 pairs).
  • Monozygotic twin pairs with same-hand preferences showed a 32% concordance for psychosis (18/56 pairs).

Conclusions:

  • Results suggest that shared prenatal viral infections may contribute significantly to the high concordance rates observed for schizophrenia in identical twins.
  • Placentation status, inferred from handedness, is a potential indicator of shared prenatal factors influencing schizophrenia risk.

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