title: Genetic influence on contrast sensitivity in middle-aged male twins.
abstract: Contrast sensitivity is strongly associated with daily functioning among older adults, but the genetic and environmental contributions to this ability are unknown. Using the classical twin method, we addressed this issue by examining contrast sensitivity at five spatial frequencies (1.5-18 cycles per degree) in 718 middle-aged male twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). Heritability estimates were modest (14-38%), whereas individual-specific environmental influences accounted for 62-86% of the variance. Identifying the types of individual-specific events that impact contrast sensitivity may suggest interventions to modulate this ability and thereby improve overall quality of life as adults age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon St., 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA. alicecg@bu.edu
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cronin-Golomb
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Panizzon
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: Carol E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Kristen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Seth A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Eisen
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Laudate
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Kremen
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000235:genetics*; D004777:Environment; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012042:Registries; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D047829:Vietnam Conflict; D014792:Visual Acuity