Read on Twitter
OK - let's get started with #BGA2020! The first talk I'm on for is from Margot van de Weijer, who is presenting on the dissection of genetic from environmental effects in well-being.
The first project MvdW presents uses the nuclear twin family design to use parental phenotypes to enrich estimation of etiology from the twin design #BGA2020
This design also allows for estimation of vertical transmission of environmental effects (P -> O) and of estimation of assortative mating. #BGA2020
In well-being, identified no evidence for vertical transmission, but did find evidence for assortative mating for life satisfaction. Found evidence of both for quality of life. #BGA2020
Phenotypic similarity is confounded within-family by shared genetics. Estimates of genetic influence (i.e. polygenic scores) are confounded because the same genetic variants may affect behaviour in parents and offspring. #BGA2020
Better understanding of the effects of genetic variants on parentally-influenced behaviours can be done by assessing non-transmitted genetic variants in the parents - currently underway in both Dutch and Norwegian samples #BGA2020
Study 2: Difference scores for welling may be associated with difference scores for other traits. If we examine MZ twins, difference in phenotype between twins is not due to shared genetics or shared environment in isolation #BGA2020
By comparing the relative relationship of two phenotypes in MZ and DZ twins, can dissect likely main sources of variation (genetic / environmental). #BGA2020
In the example of wellbeing, shows evidence of strong genetic effects on relationship with external traits. Work ongoing - interested to extend this and combine with Study 1 methods to understand more about well-being #BGA2020
Margot is @margotvdweijer #BGA2020
