A Report on a Pair of Male Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Schizophrenia
DAVID A. MacSWEENEY M.A., M.B., B.S.1
1 Senior research worker, Senior Registrar, Neuropsychiatric Research Unit, M.R.C. Laboratories, Carshalton and Greenbank, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey. Lecturer in Psychology, University of London
Twenty-five-year-old MZ twins discordant for schizophrenia are described. Biochemical and other findings were for the most part similar. The index was the lighter at birth, the second born, and had the more abnormal EEG. Skull X-rays showed a number of differences. Upbringing and home environment were consistently unsatisfactory. Both received thyroid extract during the neonatal period. The possible effect of the thyroid extract on the development of the more immature twin is discussed.
Submitted on November 13, 1968
