title: Reciprocal neurological developments of twins discordant for hydrocephalus.
abstract: Studies of 10 sets of twins discordant for hydrocephalus in early life revealed striking differences in degree and nature of development of verbal vs. non-verbal cognitive functions, birth order, and hand and eye preference. Despite similar (four dizygotic pairs) or identical (six monozygotic pairs) genetic endowment and grossly similar intra- and extra-uterine environmental and socio-economic influences, the consistency of the differences between the hydrocephalic children and their seemingly normal twins indicate systematic differences in pre-, peri- and/or early postnatal organization and development of hemispheric function. Follow-up studies also documented development of above-average intelligence, despite drastically reduced cerebral mantle size in hydrocephalus of early onset. The atypical patterns of development of the non-hydrocephalic twins also confirm previously described qualifications reported in studies of the significance of genetic vs. environmental factors in twins.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital, MI 49008.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lorber
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Priestley
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology