Scientists have identified a large number of genes that are reliably associated with dyslexia. Nearly a third of the 42 genetic variants identified have previously been linked to general cognitive ability and educational attainment, according to a new study. The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, is the largest genetic study of dyslexia to date.
Researchers say their findings, published in the journal Nature Genetics, will help to understand the biology of why some children struggle to read or spell.
Dyslexia is known to run in families – partly due to genetic factors – but, until now, little was known about the specific genes that relate to the risk of developing it.
The latest study includes more than 50,000 adults who have been diagnosed with dyslexia and more than a million adults who have not.
Researchers tested the association between millions of genetic variants with the dyslexia condition and found 42 significant variants. Some were associated with other neurodevelopmental conditions, such as language delay, and with thinking skills and academic achievement, he said. However, many are novel and may represent genes that are specifically associated with processes required for learning to read.
Several genes associated with dyslexia are also associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Very small overlap of genes associated with dyslexia was found for psychiatric, lifestyle and health conditions.
The researchers say they were able to estimate how well children and adults from four other research studies could read and spell using genetic information from the study, but with the accuracy needed for clinical use. with not.
Lead researcher Michele Luciano, from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, says the study sheds light on many unanswered questions about dyslexia.
“Our findings suggest that common genetic differences exert very similar effects in boys and girls and that there is a genetic link between dyslexia and ambiguity,” says Dr. Luciano. “Previous work suggested that certain brain structures may be altered in people with dyslexia, but we did not find evidence that genes explain this.”
“Our results also suggest that dyslexia is genetically very closely related to performance on reading and spelling tests, reinforcing the importance of standardized testing in identifying dyslexia,” Luciano said.
(with ANI inputs)
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