title: Classical twin studies and beyond.
abstract: Twin studies have been a valuable source of information about the genetic basis of complex traits. To maximize the potential of twin studies, large, worldwide registers of data on twins and their relatives have been established. Here, we provide an overview of the current resources for twin research. These can be used to obtain insights into the genetic epidemiology of complex traits and diseases, to study the interaction of genotype with sex, age and lifestyle factors, and to study the causes of co-morbidity between traits and diseases. Because of their design, these registers offer unique opportunities for selected sampling for quantitative trait loci linkage and association studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. di.boomsma@psy.vu.nl
authors.forename: Dorret
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boomsma
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Busjahn
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peltonen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D036281:Genetic Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic / Q000379:methods