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Acquired Cytogenetic Changes In Adult Twins Discordant For A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Jenni Brumelle
Acquired Cytogenetic Changes In Adult Twins Discordant For A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Jenni Brumelle
Theses and Dissertations
The primary study aim was to evaluate the latent biological effect of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on adults by quantifying acquired cytogenetic changes and cortisol levels in identical twins who were discordant (N=22) or concordant (N=2) for a history of CSA. Although the difference scores for cortisol values between discordant identical co-twins were not significantly different from zero, a trend was observed for the twins exposed to intercourse, the most severe form of CSA, to have a blunted cortisol awakening response. Acquired cytogenetic changes were assessed by scoring telomere lengths and somatic cell abnormality frequencies via a cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) …