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Head Circumferences in Twins With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

To determine the genetic relationship between head circumference (HC) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Twin pairs with at least one twin with an ASD were assessed. HCs in affected and unaffected individuals were compared, as were HC correlations in monozygotic and dizygotic pairs. 404 subjects, ages 4–18, were included. 20 % of males and 27 % of females with an ASD had macrocephaly. Unaffected co-twins showed similar rates (16 % of males and 22 % of females). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in HCs between affected and unaffected twins. Twins with ASDs and unaffected co-twins have similar HCs and increased rates of macrocephaly. Correlations demonstrated partial inheritance of HCs. Thus, macrocephaly may represent an endophenotype in ASDs.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participating families for their time and dedication. Our thanks is also given to the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant R01MH067005) and Autism Speaks for funding the California Autism Twins Study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Author notes

  1. Jack Collins

    Present address: Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, MC 5719, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Wendy Froehlich, Sue Cleveland, Andrea Torres, Jennifer Phillips, Linda Lotspeich & Joachim Hallmayer

  2. Clinical Programs, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2250, Los Angeles, CA, 90036, USA

    Brianne Cohen, Tiffany Torigoe, Janet Miller, Angie Fedele & Clara Lajonchere

  3. Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA

    Lisa A. Croen

  4. Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Blg P, 3rd Floor, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA

    Jack Collins & Judith K. Grether

  5. Impact Assessment, Inc, 2166 Avenida de la Playa, Suite F, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Karen Smith

  6. Davis Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California, 2825 50th St., Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Sally Ozonoff

  7. Stanford University, 1201 Welch Road, MSLS Building, Room P112, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA

    Joachim Hallmayer

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  1. Wendy Froehlich
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Correspondence to Wendy Froehlich.

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Dr. Grether is now retired.

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Froehlich, W., Cleveland, S., Torres, A. et al. Head Circumferences in Twins With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 2026–2037 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1751-1

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