 |
1.
Mar 00 - TWINS SHOW THAT JOKE GENES DO NOT RUN IN THE FAMILY
2. Mar 00 - TWIN STUDY SHOWS THAT MOLES ARE HEREDITARY
3. Feb97 - NEW STUDY SUGGESTS BACK PAIN IS LARGELY
DETERMINED BY OUR GENES
4. Jun 98 - MYSTERIES OF THE MENOPAUSE REVEALED BY
TWIN STUDY
5. Nov 97 - PARENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAIN THRESHOLDS
IN THEIR CHILDREN
6. Jan 97 - SMOKERS’ SKIN DRAMATICALLY THINNER,
REVEALS WATCHDOG: FACE VALUE
7. Nov 96 - BODY FAT IN WOMEN’S GENES, SUGGEST
TWIN RESEARCHERS
TWINS
SHOW THAT JOKE GENES DO NOT RUN IN THE FAMILY March
2000
We
are not born with an appreciation of humour. Rather it appears to
be influenced to a considerable degree by those around us, according
to data collected in a study of 254 female twins at the Twin Research
Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London. Influences of the family
environment in which we grow up and the external environment –
that provided, for example, by our peers, teachers, the media, religion
and politics – were found to exert a considerable influence
on the twins reactions to a series of cartoons, whilst the contribution
from genes was negligible.
"This is a surprising finding given the importance of genetic
factors in other behavioral traits including intelligence, personality
and even social attitudes," said the director of the Twin Research
Unit (TRU), Dr Tim Spector. "Yet, we found that between one-third
and two-thirds (35% to 59%) of the variability in reaction to the
cartoons was due to shared environmental effects such as family
upbringing and genetic factors did not appear to contribute at all."
The study was conducted by a team of researchers at the TRU and
involved showing the five specially selected cartoons to both members
of a twin pair simultaneously, but in different rooms. The twins
graded their reactions to the cartoons on a scale of 0-10 according
to how amusing or terrible they found each one. These results may
be partly due to the rather ‘off-beat’ nature of the cartoons
used (from Gary Larson’s ‘Far Side’) and the team
wishes to explore whether appreciation of other types of humour
(such as dirty jokes, witty jokes etc) are heritable. Also unknown
is whether the ability to tell jokes is genetic or learnt.
This research into the determinants of humour appreciation was a
light-hearted study conducted by the TRU during the festive season.
The TRU primarily conducts research into common diseases of ageing
such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes
and skin cancer. Comparing similarities between identical and non-identical
twins produces important information on the extent to which a disease
is influenced by genes or the environment. In this way twins can
help researchers discover ways of preventing and treating a large
number of diseases.
Twin
volunteers wanted
Both
identical and non-identical twins are always needed for the many
research projects in which the Unit is involved. Twins aged over
18, willing to volunteer for research projects, should phone the
Twin Hotline Number on 0990 770099.
Go
to Twin Research website
TWIN
STUDY SHOWS THAT MOLES ARE HEREDITARY March
2000
Whether
you get moles on your skin is genetic according to research published
this week by the Twin Research unit at St Thomas' Hospital, London.
The more moles a person has the higher risk of them developing melanoma
(a form of skin cancer). The research has also shown that freckles
are not caused by sun exposure but that they are genetic.
Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in the
USA the research is the first to investigate in adults, whether
moles are caused by your genes or by your environment. Researchers
worked with 450 pairs of female twins (127 of them identical) aged
from 18 to 72 years. Each completed a detailed sun exposure questionnaire
and underwent a standardised skin examination, during which the
numbers of moles and freckles they had were recorded.
The number of moles varies widely but on average was 35, which decreased
after the age of 50. Identical twins were more likely to have a
similar number of moles than non-identical twins proving the genetic
link, with moles being 84 % heritable over age 50.
Dr Veronique Bataille, Honorary Consultant Dermatologist
at the Twin Research Unit at Guy's & St Thomas' and one of the
researchers on the study said, "The study has shown that genetic
factors are important in the number of moles you have as an adult
and theses genetic factors become more important as people get
older. Sun exposure still has a part to play as it may also affect
the way genes work in producing moles."
Dr Dim Spector, director of the Twin Research Unit adds, "more
research needs to be done with larger numbers of twins but proving
that moles are gene related is a crucial step towards uncovering
genes important in skin cancer, which may lead to earlier diagnosis
and new treatments."
Twin
volunteers wanted
Both
non-identical and identical twins are always needed for the many
projects in which the Unit is involved. Twins aged over 18 willing
to volunteer for research projects should phone the Twin Hotline
Number on 0990 770099.
Go
to Twin Research website
NEW
STUDY SUGGESTS BACK PAIN IS LARGELY DETERMINED BY OUR GENES
February 1999
Back
pain is largely determined by our genes according to a new study funded by the
Medical Research Council (MRC), published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Collaborating with Australian researchers, Dr Tim Spector, Director of the Twin
Research Unit at St Thomas' Hospital examined 400 twins and measured the degree
of disc degeneration in their necks and low back using MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging) scans.
The researchers found that the risk developing worn out disks was much closer
in identical twins than non-identical twins. The analysis showed genes accounted
for about 60 per cent of the risk of developing arthritic disc in your spine.
Dr Tim Spector said:
"Although occupation, posture and injuries obviously play a role in some
people, this study shows a worn out disc, one of the commonest causes of chronic
neck and back pain, is largely inherited and the hunt is now on for which genes
are involved. Identical twins were striking in their similarity, with many having
identical symptoms and worn out disks in exactly the same position of the spine.
The St Thomas' team plan to continue their research and are keen to hear from
more twins, either identical or non-identical to take part in their studies.
Notes
to editors
1.
Twins interested in volunteering for the research program should
contact the Twin hotline on 0990 770099. They will receive free
screening examination for a wide number of diseases including arthritis,
asthma, skin disease, eye disease, heart disease and osteoporosis.
2. Back and neck pain affects more than half the population and
is the commonest cause of lost working days costing industry £6
billion in lost production and the NHS £480 million a year.
3. Case studies will be available for interview.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI) are a sophisticated scanning
mechanism that involves no radiation.
5. Reference: Genetic influences on Cervical and Lumbar Disc Degeneration:
A Study in Twins, P.N. Sambrook, A.J. MacGregor and T.D. Spector,
Arthritis & Rheumatism, February 1999.
MYSTERIES
OF THE MENOPAUSE REVEALED BY TWIN STUDY June
1998
The
timing of the menopause is largely due to genetic factors, according
to research published this week by the Twin Research Unit at St
Thomas’ Hospital.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,
the study investigated the timing of the menopause in a group of
over 1200 identical and non-identical twins. The results showed
that over 60% of the variability in age at menopause is genetic.
Explains Dr Harold Snieder, the author of the paper, "The timing
of the menopause is associated with an altered risk of a number
of chronic diseases. In particular early menopause increases the
risk of heart disease and osteoporosis."
The menopause is typically human event, virtually unknown in the
animal world. Even apes, the species closest to humans, do not experience
menopause. The origin and purpose of menopause is unclear but the
fact that its timing is imprinted in genes may support one of the
latest theories of human evolution. The so-called ‘grandmother
theory’ put forward by researchers at the University of Utah
argues that human evolution favours long postmenopausal lifespans
which enable grandmothers to help raise grandchildren, thereby increasing
their chances of survival. Dr Kristen Hawkes from the University
of Utah commented, "The high heritablility for the age of menopause
demonstrated in the St Thomas’ study is very exciting and seems
exactly consistent with our expectations."
Dr Tim Spector, Director of the Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology
Unit at St Thomas’ adds: "Research into the menopause
is one of the many studies performed at the Unit, which also covers
many common diseases of ageing such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis,
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and skin cancer. Comparing similarities
between identical and non-identical twins produces important information
on the extent to which a disease is influenced by genes or the environment.
In this way twins can help researchers discover ways of preventing
and treating a large number of diseases."
Twin
volunteers wanted
Both
non-identical and identical twins are always needed for the many
projects in which the Unit is involved. Twins aged over 18, willing
to volunteer for research projects, should phone the Twin Hotline
Number on 0990 770099
Go
to Twin Research website
PARENTS
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAIN THRESHOLDS IN THEIR CHILDREN
November 1997
Twin
may only be as alike as their parents allow. According to a new
study examining the pain thresholds of female twins carried out
by the Twin Research Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in London,
other family members, more than our genes, influence our perception
of pain and shape how we cope with pain and illness later in life.
The study published this month in the journal PAIN, assessed the
contribution of environmental and genetic factors in determining
a person’s perception of pain, by measuring their Pressure
Pain Threshold (PPT). All 609 pairs of twins involved in the study
had grown up together, therefore the environmental factors for each
pair were constant. Just under half of the twin sets (269) were
monozygotic (identical twins who have the same genetic make-up).
The results concluded that the influence of genetic factors appears
to be substantially less important than environmental factors.
"Looking at twins in this manner enables us to highlight the
importance of shared environmental factors, such as the family,
as opposed to genetic factors in determining a person’s pain
threshold", states Dr Tim Spector, Director of the Twin Research
Unit. "Clearly a person’s family can have a great influence
on that person’s attitude towards pain, and consequently a
person’s pain threshold is mapped out by contact with their
family and close friends rather than by their genetic make-up".
The research programme at the Twin Research Unit also covers many
common diseases of ageing, including: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis,
diabetes, asthma, skin cancer, deafness, thyroid and hormonal disorders.
"Twins are special…" say Dr Spector "…
and can help researchers discover ways of preventing or treating
a large number of diseases. Comparing similarities between identical
and non-identical twins produces important information on the extent
to which a disease is caused by genes or the environment.
The research into pain is one of many studies in which the Unit
is currently involved, and twins are always needed as willing volunteers.
Male or female identical or non-identical twin, over the age of
18, wishing to volunteer to participate in further research studies,
should telephone the Twin Research Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital
on 0990 770099
Go
to Twin Research website
SMOKERS’
SKIN DRAMATICALLY THINNER, REVEALS WATCHDOG: FACE VALUE January
1997
Doctors
at the Twin Research Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, have
been astonished to find dramatic differences in skin ageing between
smoking and non-smoking twins, reveals tonight’s edition of
Watchdog: Face Value (Monday, January 13, 7.30 pm, BBC-1).
The researchers now have conclusive evidence that smokers have significantly
thinner skin and more wrinkles, report the researchers.
Over one thousand twins took part in the study, and of these, 25
identical pairs had their inner arm skin thickness measured by ultrasound.
As identical twins are genetically the same, any differences between
them would have to be environmental. Few differences emerged, until
researchers tested Morey Cornick and Carol Deller, identical twins
aged 57.
Morey has smoked since her teens, but Carol has never had a cigarette.
Morey’s skin was found to be 40 per cent thinner than her sister’s
– 0.57mm compared to 0.91mm. A silicone imprint of Morey’s
face showed that it was more wrinkled and had fewer pores.
Dr Tim Spector, Head of the Unit at St Thomas’, tells Face
Value: "I was surprised to see the large differences in
someone who I considered not be a particularly heavy smoker. It
just shows the major effects this has."
Dr Veronique Bataille, the Dermatologist in charge of the skin testing
study, tells Face Value: "Smoking can affect the blood
supply to the top layer of your skin and that would damage it. Another
way is that a chemical released in the skin after you smoke can
release an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastic tissue.
A third possible way is that a chemical released in the skin from
the smoke can affect the genetic material inside each cell and this
DNA damage may have some direct effect on the property of your skin."
One in three young women in Britain smokes, and the numbers are
increasing. Morey’s advice is: "Don’t smoke at all
because this is obvious proof that it doesn’t do you any good
at all and it does age you."
The Twin Research Unit at St Thomas’ is keen to hear from adult
twins, particularly non-identical, who would like to take part in
a wide ranging twin study. The unit can be contacted on 0990 770099.
Go
to Twin Research website
BODY
FAT IN WOMEN’S GENES, SUGGEST TWIN RESEARCHERS November
1996
Body
fat in middle-aged women is determined more by their genes than
diet or exercise according to data collected in a three year study
of 350 pairs of middle-aged twins at Guy’s & St Thomas’
Hospital Trust.
The study also found that, contrary to popular perception, hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with less body fat.
"Understanding the factors which regulate the store of body
fat will hopefully lead to effective therapies to try and prevent
obesity and its associated health problems such as heart disease
and cancer" says Dr Tim Spector, Head of the UK’s first
Twin Research Unit for adult diseases, recently established at St
Thomas’. "But it won’t offer an excuse to over-indulge
in cream cakes!"
In addition to examining the effects of diet, exercise and other
factors on how much fat middle-aged women carry, the researchers
measured the distribution of fat. This is important because it is
‘central obesity’, when extra fat is carried around the
waist, which increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes rather
than the total amount of fat.
The study was conducted in collaboration with visiting Australian
Scientists, Dr Kathy Samaras, Dr Paul Kelly and Prof Lesley Campbell
who now are seeking to extend its scope to include men and younger
women. it was conducted as part of the Twin Research Programme started
four years ago at St Thomas’ to investigate the role of genes
in age-related, chronic and life-threatening diseases.
Genetic links for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis have already been
established and the Unit has recently received grants to study asthma,
back pain and causes of blindness.
"Twin studies are not only useful for studying how genes affect
diseases, but also how our lifestyle and environment influence our
risk of disease," says Dr Tim Spector. "I hope that encourages
many more twins to step forward and help us with our research."
Twins who are interested in participating in the research should
call 0990 770099
Go
to Twin Research website
|
