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Breathing patterns of monozygous twins during behavioural tasks
S A Shea1, T P Dinh, R D Hamilton
1Physiology Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston.
Acta Geneticae Medicae Et Gemellologiae
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Breathing airflow shape is a fundamental characteristic conserved across different behaviors and ventilation levels. Monozygous twins share similar airflow patterns, suggesting genetic and behavioral influences act similarly on breathing.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Breathing patterns are influenced by both behavioral and genetic factors.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for respiratory research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and genetic determinants of breathing patterns.
- To analyze the consistency of breathing characteristics across different behavioral states.
Main Methods:
- Measured breathing patterns (inspiratory/expiratory durations, tidal volume) in 8 pairs of monozygous twins under four conditions: relaxed, eyes closed, eyes open, and reading.
- Quantified airflow shape using 8 dimensions and analyzed similarities within individuals and between twin pairs.
Main Results:
- Reading significantly increased breathing rate (>500 ml/min).
- Individuals exhibited highly significant similarities in most respiratory variables across conditions.
- Monozygous twins showed significant similarities in airflow shape across all behavioral conditions, though not consistently for inspiratory/expiratory durations or tidal volume.
Conclusions:
- An individual's airflow shape is a conserved characteristic, independent of behavioral changes and ventilation levels.
- Monozygous twins exhibit similar airflow shapes, indicating shared genetic and/or behavioral influences on this fundamental breathing trait.