Table 3 ACE models in concordant ASD and TD twin pairs

From: Genetic and environmental influences on structural brain measures in twins with autism spectrum disorder

 

A (additive genetics)

C (shared environment)

E (unique environment)

Structure

ASD

CI

p

TD

CI

p

ASD

CI

p

TD

CI

p

ASD

CI

TD

CI

Total brain volume

0.84

[0.45, 1.14]

<0.001✝

0.81

[0.54, 1.07]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.16

[−0.14, 0.55]

0.19

[−0.07, 0.46]

Cortical GM

1.00

[0.77, 1.23]

<0.001✝

0.74

[0.46, 1.03]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.26

[−0.23, 0.23]

0.001

[−0.03, 0.54]

Cortical WM

0.79

[0.37, 1.21]

<0.001✝

0.93

[0.75, 1.11]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.21

[−0.21, 0.64]

0.07

[−0.11, 0.25]

Subcortical GM

×

×

×

0.95

[0.77, 1.13]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

–

–

–

×

×

0.05

[−0.13, 0.23]

Cerebellar GM

×

×

×

0.92

[0.73, 1.12]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

–

–

–

×

×

0.08

[−0.12, 0.27]

Cerebellar WM

–

–

–

0.92

[0.72, 1.12]

<0.001✝

0.48

[0.11, 0.85]

0.011✝

–

–

–

0.52

[0.15, 0.89]

0.08

[−0.12, 0.28]

Brainstem

×

×

×

1.04

[0.87, 1.21]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

–

–

–

×

×

−0.04

[−0.21, 0.13]

Ventricles

–

–

–

×

×

×

0.65

[0.46, 0.85]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

0.35

[0.15, 0.54]

×

×

Total surface area

0.93

[0.70, 1.16]

<0.001✝

×

×

×

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.07

[−0.16, 0.30]

×

×

Mean thickness

–

–

–

0.60

[0.40, 0.80]

<0.001✝

0.88

[0.80, 0.96]

<0.001✝

–

–

–

0.12

[0.04, 0.20]

0.40

[0.20, 0.60]

Mean curvature

×

×

×

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.67

[0.41, 0.92]

<0.001✝

×

×

0.33

[0.08, 0.59]

  1. The ACE model for broad sense heritability was calculated separately for twin pairs in which both twins were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or were typically-developing (TD) controls. Twin pairs discordant for ASD were excluded. When A or C was non-significant within the model (−), a constrained AE or CE model was utilized. When model assumptions were violated, model estimates were not generated, but the parameters that would have been most appropriate are indicated (×). Total brain volume = all cortex (cortical gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) + cerebellar GM/WM + brainstem + ventricles) and Ventricles = lateral + inferior lateral + 3rd + 4th. E estimates were based on the residuals and were not tested for significance. Significant model parameter at *p < 0.05 and ✝False Discovery Rate [73] correction across the estimates within each column are indicated
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