Handedness in twins according to zygosity and chorion type: a preliminary report

Behav Genet. 1996 Jul;26(4):407-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02359484.

Abstract

In the course of the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey (EFPTS), handedness was assessed as part of a genealogical study (Meulemans et al., 1995) in 1616 twins (808 twin pairs) aged 6 to 28. Our findings are that, in this large population-based study with known placentation and zygosity, the often observed higher frequency of left-handedness in twins is confirmed, that it appears to be independent of zygosity and chorion type, and that the belief that discordant handedness in monozygotic twins represents mirror-imaging is mythical.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Belgium
  • Child
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Placentation / genetics*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Twins, Dizygotic / genetics*
  • Twins, Monozygotic / genetics*