The Quebec newborn twin study at 21
Article [Version of Record]
Is part of
Twin research and human genetics ; vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 475-481.Publisher(s)
Cambridge University PressAuthor(s)
Abstract(s)
This paper is a revised and updated edition of a previous description of the Quebec Newborn Twin Study (QNTS), an ongoing prospective
longitudinal follow-up of a birth cohort of twins born between 1995 and 1998 in the greater Montreal area, Québec, Canada. The goal of QNTS
is to document individual differences in the cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional aspects of developmental health across childhood,
their early genetic and environmental determinants, as well as their putative role in later social-emotional adjustment, school, health, and
occupational outcomes. A total of 662 families of twins were initially assessed when the twins were aged 6 months. These twins and their
family were then followed regularly. QNTS now has 16 waves of data collected or planned, including 5 in preschool. Over the last 24 years, a
broad range of physiological, cognitive, behavioral, school, and health phenotypes were documented longitudinally through multi-informant
and multimethod measurements. QNTS also entails extended and detailed multilevel assessments of proximal (e.g., parenting behaviors, peer
relationships) and distal (e.g., family income) features of the child’s environment. QNTS children and a subset of their parents have been
genotyped, allowing for the computation of a variety of polygenic scores. This detailed longitudinal information makes QNTS uniquely suited
for the study of the role of the early years and gene–environment transactions in development.
Other location(s)
This document disseminated on Papyrus is the exclusive property of the copyright holders and is protected by the Copyright Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42). It may be used for fair dealing and non-commercial purposes, for private study or research, criticism and review as provided by law. For any other use, written authorization from the copyright holders is required.