Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry

Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation

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MM Identical twin white children brothers orange shirtsAre you eager to participate in a MATR study right now?

Information about how to participate is included in each listing, but feel free to call the MATR at 1-800-872-8946 for more information. Be sure to keep an eye on this page to look for new studies that come up! See our Current studies webpage for additional information about these studies which we are currently recruiting as well as other MATR-related studies. And as always, thank you for your willingness to consider participating!

New study announcement! Twin spectrum study - exploring cognition through twins:

Did you know that each and every one of us displays attributes that span across a range, from ‘typical’ development to serious forms of delayed cognitive development? There is still so much that remains unknown about cognitive development and experts at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) want to better understand the factors that impact this, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions (like Asperger syndrome).

This is where twins come in! We are inviting twin families to take part in a survey that will help explore the cognitive spectrum. The study depends on a variety of insights from parents of twins (those with potential conditions, like autism spectrum disorders as well as those with more ‘typical’ development) to truly understand all the factors that might influence cognitive development. 

Who is needed?

  • Parent(s) with juvenile twin pairs – those with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions AND those without
  • Ages 6 through 17 years old
  • Identical OR Non-identical twin pairs

What’s involved?

  • At least one parent/legal guardian completing a survey (online or by phone)
  • Survey items will ask about: family demographic info and structure; twins’ gestation & birth; zygosity; mental & physical health; development; education; social responsiveness; sleep; mood & anxiety; behaviors; conduct; etc.

Compensation?  Yes!

  • A $50 e-gift card (your choice of MasterCard, Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart) for completing the survey

Interested? Visit: Tell me more to let us know.

MATR survey for adults

***The MATR survey for adults is in re-development using an updated software application. While this survey is predominantly ready for participants to complete, the MATR focused survey efforts on collecting information about how the pandemic is impacting adult twins and their children.  Once we complete the pandemic survey project, the MATR will focus efforts on the MATR Survey for Adults and all registered adult twins will be eligible to complete the survey. The survey will collect basic health and behavioral information. The answers to the survey questions will be kept by the MATR and will help us determine if you are eligible to participate in future studies looking into specific conditions or behaviors. If you are interested in participating once the survey is ready, please follow the link below to our Update Contact Info & Research Interests online form.

Update your contact information using this secure online form.

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study

Currently, the MATR is not actively recruiting for the ABCD study, but may be again at some point in the future.  

National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded groundbreaking research being carried out by a consortium of 21 academic agencies. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is ONE of only four twin sites recruiting for this study that hopes to provide unique insight into the brain and cognitive development starting in childhood.

Participants the study will need include:

  • Full pairs of same-sex twins
  • 9 or 10 years old
  • Fraternal or identical

Study participation involves:

  • Completing a 20 min (approx.) phone call with the MATR to hear more about the study.
  • Coming to VCU to complete the study
  • Compensation is provided

If interested:

Contact the Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) and let us know that you want to learn more about the ABCD study. Please let us know the full names and DOB of the twin pair. Parents, please provide your full name as well. You can reach us at: