Suchergebnisse

AbstractTwin registries have developed as a valuable resource for the study of many aspects of disease and society over the years in many different countries. A number of these registries include large numbers of twins with data collected at varying information levels for twin cohorts over the past several decades. More recent expansion of twin datasets has allowed for the collection of genetic data, together with many other levels of 'omic' information along with multiple demographic, physiological, health outcomes and other measures typically used in epidemiologic research. Other twin data sources outside these registries reflect research interests in particular aspects of disease or specific phenotypic assessment. Twin registries have the potential to play a key role in many aspects of the artificial intelligence/machine learning-driven projects of the future and will continue to keep adapting to the changing research landscape.

The Australian Twin Registry (ATR) is a not-for-profit organization that coordinates research involving Australian twins and researchers. The ATR is one of the largest volunteer registries of its kind and contains over 33,000 twin pairs. The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of recent ophthalmic studies that have utilized the ATR for recruitment purposes. Such studies include the Australian Twin Eye Study (ATES) and the Genes in Myopia (GEM) study. The ATES and GEM studies have undertaken studies into the genetic influences on a number of ophthalmic traits through the use of heritability studies, linkage studies, genome-wide association studies, and candidate gene-based studies. An overview of these studies is provided in this review, as well as a description of the recruitment methodologies for both the ATES and GEM studies.