Use of twin cohorts for research in Alzheimer's disease.
The causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain a mystery despite the recent identification of several putative environmental risk factors and the discovery of several linked genetic loci and point mutations associated with the disease. Particularly uncertain is the generalizability of the genetic findings to the common forms of disease encountered in clinical practice or population research. Twin studies of AD can illuminate causal mechanisms, both genetic and environmental. This consensus document explores the rationale for such twin studies, as well as a number of methodologic problems that render them difficult to implement or interpret. We review existing twin studies of AD and note several ambitious new studies. Finally, we delineate several practical strategies for the near future of twin research in AD.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Research Design
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Humans
- Diseases in Twins
- Cohort Studies
- Alzheimer Disease
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aged
- 3209 Neurosciences
- 3202 Clinical sciences
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Research Design
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Humans
- Diseases in Twins
- Cohort Studies
- Alzheimer Disease
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aged
- 3209 Neurosciences
- 3202 Clinical sciences