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. 2013 Feb;16(1):271-81.
doi: 10.1017/thg.2012.140. Epub 2013 Jan 8.

The Adult Netherlands Twin Register: twenty-five years of survey and biological data collection

Gonneke Willemsen  1 , Jacqueline M Vink, Abdel Abdellaoui, Anouk den Braber, Jenny H D A van Beek, Harmen H M Draisma, Jenny van Dongen, Dennis van 't Ent, Lot M Geels, Rene van Lien, Lannie Ligthart, Mathijs Kattenberg, Hamdi Mbarek, Marleen H M de Moor, Melanie Neijts, Rene Pool, Natascha Stroo, Cornelis Kluft, H Eka D Suchiman, P Eline Slagboom, Eco J C de Geus, Dorret I Boomsma
Affiliations

The Adult Netherlands Twin Register: twenty-five years of survey and biological data collection

Gonneke Willemsen et al. Twin Res Hum Genet. 2013 Feb.

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, the Adult Netherlands Twin Register (ANTR) has collected a wealth of information on physical and mental health, lifestyle, and personality in adolescents and adults. This article provides an overview of the sources of information available, the main research findings, and an outlook for the future. Between 1991 and 2012, longitudinal surveys were completed by twins, their parents, siblings, spouses, and offspring. Data are available for 33,957 participants, with most individuals having completed two or more surveys. Smaller projects provided in-depth phenotyping, including measurements of the autonomic nervous system, neurocognitive function, and brain imaging. For 46% of the ANTR participants, DNA samples are available and whole genome scans have been obtained in more than 11,000 individuals. These data have resulted in numerous studies on heritability, gene x environment interactions, and causality, as well as gene finding studies. In the future, these studies will continue with collection of additional phenotypes, such as metabolomic and telomere length data, and detailed genetic information provided by DNA and RNA sequencing. Record linkage to national registers will allow the study of morbidity and mortality, thus providing insight into the development of health, lifestyle, and behavior across the lifespan.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
(Colour online) Figures included in reports to participants who underwent 24-hour ambulatory monitoring of cardiovascular function and motility. Note: The upper line (black, left axis) indicates the number of beats per minute. The lower line (green, right axis) indicates the degree of motility.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
(Colour online) Figures included in reports to participants who underwent a series of neuropsychological tests. Note: The bars indicate the score for the neuropsychological tests, presented as percentages (high percentages indicated a performance better than average, low percentages a performance less than average). AF = abstraction and flexibility; ATT = attention; VM = verbal memory; FM = face memory; 3D = 3D spatial memory; WM = working memory; VR = verbal reasoning; SJ = spatial judgment; SMS = sensorymotor speed; EI = emotion identification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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