Innovations in the statistical analysis of twin studies.

Abstract

Advances in computer technology have made possible a greater sophistication in the statistical analysis of pedigree data, however this is not necessarily manifest by fitting more comprehensive causative models. Planned twin and family studies measure numerous explanatory variables, including perhaps genetic and DNA marker information status on all pedigree members, and the cohabitation of all pairs of individuals. A statistical analysis should examine the contribution of these measured factors on individual means, and in explaining the variation and covariation between individuals, concurrently with the postulated effect of unmeasured factors such as polygenes. We present two models that mee..