Twin research in autism spectrum disorder

© 2017 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition of multifactorial origin. Aside from clinically relevant ASD phenotypes qualifying for a categorical diagnosis, data increasingly support the notion of broader/extended phenotypes and traits...

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Main Authors: Willfors, C., Tammimies, K., Bolte, Sven
Format: Book Chapter
Published: 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72894
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author Willfors, C.
Tammimies, K.
Bolte, Sven
author_facet Willfors, C.
Tammimies, K.
Bolte, Sven
author_sort Willfors, C.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2017 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition of multifactorial origin. Aside from clinically relevant ASD phenotypes qualifying for a categorical diagnosis, data increasingly support the notion of broader/extended phenotypes and traits of ASD that are continuously distributed in the general population, with variation in ASD traits determined by factors overlapping with the clinical phenotypes. Earlier twin studies confirmed repeatedly the genetic causes for ASD, with only modest environmental influences. Thus, ASD is considered one of the most heritable of psychiatric conditions with a heritability estimates between 80% and 90%. However, recent twin studies have suggested a stronger environmental influence on ASD etiologies. This chapter gives a short theoretical background on the basics of behavioral genetics and twin designs, summarizes the contribution of twin research to the knowledge of ASD etiologies, and discusses areas of interest for future twin research within the field of ASD.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-728942018-12-13T09:34:52Z Twin research in autism spectrum disorder Willfors, C. Tammimies, K. Bolte, Sven © 2017 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition of multifactorial origin. Aside from clinically relevant ASD phenotypes qualifying for a categorical diagnosis, data increasingly support the notion of broader/extended phenotypes and traits of ASD that are continuously distributed in the general population, with variation in ASD traits determined by factors overlapping with the clinical phenotypes. Earlier twin studies confirmed repeatedly the genetic causes for ASD, with only modest environmental influences. Thus, ASD is considered one of the most heritable of psychiatric conditions with a heritability estimates between 80% and 90%. However, recent twin studies have suggested a stronger environmental influence on ASD etiologies. This chapter gives a short theoretical background on the basics of behavioral genetics and twin designs, summarizes the contribution of twin research to the knowledge of ASD etiologies, and discusses areas of interest for future twin research within the field of ASD. 2017 Book Chapter http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72894 10.1201/9781315371375 restricted
spellingShingle Willfors, C.
Tammimies, K.
Bolte, Sven
Twin research in autism spectrum disorder
title Twin research in autism spectrum disorder
title_full Twin research in autism spectrum disorder
title_fullStr Twin research in autism spectrum disorder
title_full_unstemmed Twin research in autism spectrum disorder
title_short Twin research in autism spectrum disorder
title_sort twin research in autism spectrum disorder
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72894