The project investigates long-term effect of the environment on the regulation of the autonomic nervous system and mental health. We use exposome approach covering multiple physical and social exposures in the living environment, and childhood exposure to the severe economic recession in 1990s and its influence within the family. The data are 1) from FinnTwin12 cohort, University of Helsinki (born 1983-87, N 5100 twin individuals, and twins' parents), and 2) offspring (born 1983-87, N 286300) of TwinRegistry participants with information from health care registers. Twins have been comprehensively evaluated from age 11 to middle age; this study uses measurements of mental health and omics (e.g. metabolites, DNA methylation). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) will be comprehensively measured to assess the autonomic nervous system functioning. The research aims to significantly increase our understanding of the causal mechanisms of environmental exposures to mental health and mind-body system.

2025

2029