title: Mixed-Handedness in Identical Twins Discordant for Combat Exposure in Vietnam: Relationship to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
abstract: This study evaluated the degree of mixed-handedness in predominantly right-handed Vietnam combat veteran twins and their identical, combat-unexposed cotwins. The "high-risk" cotwins of combat veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had more mixed-handedness (i.e., less right-handedness) than the "low-risk" cotwins of combat veterans without PTSD. Self-reported combat exposure in combat-exposed twins was a mediator of the association between handedness in their unexposed cotwins and PTSD in the twins themselves. We conclude that mixed-handedness is a familial risk factor for combat-related PTSD. This risk may be mediated in part by a proclivity for mixed-handed soldiers and Marines to experience heavier combat.
authors.affiliation: From the Dept. of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (JMG, KST, RKP); the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (SRP); and the Dept. of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York (CMC).
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.affiliation: From the Dept. of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (JMG, KST, RKP); the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (SRP); and the Dept. of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York (CMC).
authors.forename: Seth R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pitman
authors.affiliation: From the Dept. of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (JMG, KST, RKP); the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (SRP); and the Dept. of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York (CMC).
authors.forename: Kaloyan S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tanev
authors.affiliation: From the Dept. of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (JMG, KST, RKP); the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (SRP); and the Dept. of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York (CMC).
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Pitman
authors.affiliation: From the Dept. of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (JMG, KST, RKP); the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (SRP); and the Dept. of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York (CMC).
authors.forename: Claude M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chemtob
mesh_terms: D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D047829:Vietnam Conflict