title: The Sri Lankan Twin Registry: 2012 update.
abstract: The Sri Lankan Twin Registry (SLTR), established in 1997, is a unique resource for twin and genetic research in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC). It comprises of a volunteer cohort of 14,120 twins (7,060 pairs) and 119 sets of triplets, and a population-based cohort of 19,040 (9,520 pairs) twins and 89 sets of triplets. Several studies have been conducted using this registry, including the Colombo Twin and Singleton Study (CoTaSS 1; 4,387 twins, 2,311 singletons), which have explored the prevalence and heritability of a range of psychiatric disorders as well as gene-environmental interplay. Currently, a follow-up study (CoTaSS 2) of the same cohort is underway, looking at the prevalence and interrelationship of key cardiovascular and metabolic risk markers (e.g., metabolic syndrome). A significant feature of CoTaSS 2 is the establishment of a biobank. Current SLTR work is extending beyond mental health and the interface between mental and physical health to new horizons, extending collaborations with the wider global twin research community. Ethics and governance have been given special emphasis in the initiative. Capacity building and public engagement are two crucial components. Establishment of a state-of-the-art genetic laboratory was a major accomplishment. SLTR is a classic showcase of successful North-South partnership in building a progressive research infrastructure in a LMIC.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research & Development, Colombo, Sri Lanka. athula.sumathipala@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Athula
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sumathipala
authors.forename: Sisira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siribaddana
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hotopf
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGuffin
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glozier
authors.forename: Harriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Yulia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kovas
authors.forename: Fruhling
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rijsdijk
authors.forename: Lalani
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yatawara
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pariante
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zavos
authors.forename: Chesmal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siriwardhana
authors.forename: Gayani
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pannala
authors.forename: Kaushalya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jayaweera
authors.forename: Anushka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adikari
authors.forename: Dinesha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gunewardane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult