Abstract
Significant sibling sibling and within family correlations of human red blood cell catechol o methyl transferase activity have suggested a high degree of genetic control over levels of activity of this catecholamine related enzyme. However, family studies do not disentangle genetic from environmental similarities as causative of within family correlations. The authors therefore undertook a human twin study using the monozygotic dizygotic comparison method. 12 pairs of monozygotic twins had an intraclass correlation of .90 in red blood cell catechol o methyl transferase activity, and 7 pairs of dizygotic twins had an intraclass correlation of .37. Heritability of the enzyme activity was estimated by different methods as between 68-100%.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 494-498 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | British Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 128 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 1976 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health