Is dyslexia in our genes? It became the subject of a large-scale study published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics. The researchers were able to identify a group of genetic variants associated with learning difficulty. “It has a biological origin but it has social consequences.”
Lien Lamenssource: The Guardian, Nature Genetics
The researchers were able to identify 170 genes and 42 genetic variants associated with dyslexia. Fifteen of these variables have already been linked to cognitive skills and education level in previous research, while 27 have not been linked.
“At this point, the study has no implications for people with dyslexia, although it helps them understand that the condition has very complex causes,” said lead researcher and clinician Michele Luciano of the University of Edinburgh. To reach this conclusion, the genomes of 51,800 adults with dyslexia and 1,087,070 adults who did not claim to have dyslexia were analyzed.
In other words, the results provide insight into the biology of dyslexia. “We can monitor specific genes to see their function and how they relate to the cognitive processes involved in reading and spelling.”
Professor Helen Ross of the British Dyslexia Society puts it this way: Research shows that dyslexia has biological roots, but mainly social and societal consequences. Any research that can help us identify people who may have dyslexia would be beneficial as we can support them early in a career and learn how to avoid associated problems.”
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