A genetic decomposition of the association between parasomnias and dyssomnias in 8-year-old twins.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate genetic and environmental influences on parasomnias and dyssomnias and their association in 8-year-olds.


METHODS
Parents of twins completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire.


METHODS
Families were primarily tested at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, England.


METHODS
A total of 300 pairs of 8-year-old twins and their parents participated in the study.


METHODS
Sleep difficulties in children.


RESULTS
Individual differences in parasomnias and dyssomnias were largely explained by genes (accounting for 50% and 71% of the variances, respectively). The rest of the variances were mainly due to nonshared environmental influences. A moderate association was found between parasomnias and dyssomnias (r = 0.42), which was mainly accounted for by genetic influences (87%). The genetic correlation between parasomnias and dyssomnias was moderate (r = 0.61). In contrast, the nonshared environmental correlation was small (r = 0.10).


CONCLUSIONS
The decomposition of the association between parasomnias and dyssomnias suggests that there may be different manifestations of shared underlying genetic risks for sleep problems partly dependent on nonshared environmental influence.
Gregory
Alice M
AM
Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, England. a.gregory@gold.ac.uk
D002648:Child; D020920:Dyssomnias / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020447:Parasomnias / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014427:Twins; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics*