Twin Database of the Secondary School Attached to the Faculty of Education of the University of Tokyo: Lifecourse Database of Twins

Abstract

This article profiles the historical twin databases of the secondary education school attached to the Faculty of Education at the University of Tokyo. The school was established in 1948. Every year, about 50 pairs of twins of all sex and zygosity combinations and aged 11–12 years take an examination, and about 10–20 pairs are admitted based on the results. Three data sets exist: one for applicants (11–12 years), one for junior and senior high school students (12–18 years), and one for graduates (18–79 years). Record linkage of these three databases should facilitate several important research projects; for example, the lifecourse genetic epidemiologic studies and verification of so-called developmental origin of health and disease hypothesis.