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| Host of genes and genetic variants linked to dyslexia identified | Host of genes and genetic variants linked to dyslexia identified |
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| Research sheds light on hereditary aspect of disorder in largest such study to date | Research sheds light on hereditary aspect of disorder in largest such study to date |
| A host of genetic variants associated with dyslexia have been identified by researchers, shedding light on the hereditary aspect of the disorder. | A host of genetic variants associated with dyslexia have been identified by researchers, shedding light on the hereditary aspect of the disorder. |
| It is estimated that about 10% of the UK population, about 6.3 million people, are dyslexic. Previous research has suggested it has a heritable component, with studies suggesting genetics account for somewhere between 40% and 80% of the average differences between those with dyslexia and general population. | It is estimated that about 10% of the UK population, about 6.3 million people, are dyslexic. Previous research has suggested it has a heritable component, with studies suggesting genetics account for somewhere between 40% and 80% of the average differences between those with dyslexia and general population. |
| However, pinpointing specific genetic variants that may play a role has proved challenging. Now researchers say they have identified about 170 genes and 42 specific genetic variants significantly associated with dyslexia in the largest such study to date. | However, pinpointing specific genetic variants that may play a role has proved challenging. Now researchers say they have identified about 170 genes and 42 specific genetic variants significantly associated with dyslexia in the largest such study to date. |
| While 15 of these variants have previously been linked to cognitive ability and educational attainment, the remaining 27 are newly identified – meaning they have not previously been linked to traits associated with dyslexia. | While 15 of these variants have previously been linked to cognitive ability and educational attainment, the remaining 27 are newly identified – meaning they have not previously been linked to traits associated with dyslexia. |
| “At the moment, there are no direct implications for people with dyslexia, although it helps them understand that the condition has very complex causes,” said the lead researcher, Dr Michelle Luciano, of the University of Edinburgh. | “At the moment, there are no direct implications for people with dyslexia, although it helps them understand that the condition has very complex causes,” said the lead researcher, Dr Michelle Luciano, of the University of Edinburgh. |
| But Luciano said the results did offer insights into the biology underlying dyslexia. “We can follow up the significant genes to see what their function is and how it might relate to the cognitive processes involved in reading and spelling,” she said. | But Luciano said the results did offer insights into the biology underlying dyslexia. “We can follow up the significant genes to see what their function is and how it might relate to the cognitive processes involved in reading and spelling,” she said. |
| Writing in the journal Nature Genetics, Luciano and colleagues report how they analysed the genomes of 51,800 adults with a self-reported diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as those of 1,087,070 adults who said they did not have such a diagnosis. All of the participants are involved in research with the personal genetics company 23andMe. | Writing in the journal Nature Genetics, Luciano and colleagues report how they analysed the genomes of 51,800 adults with a self-reported diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as those of 1,087,070 adults who said they did not have such a diagnosis. All of the participants are involved in research with the personal genetics company 23andMe. |
| The team add that several of the newly identified variants were subsequently found to be significantly associated with dyslexia in data analysed by the team that was collected in other genomic studies of people of European ancestry, as well as in data from people of Chinese ancestry. | The team add that several of the newly identified variants were subsequently found to be significantly associated with dyslexia in data analysed by the team that was collected in other genomic studies of people of European ancestry, as well as in data from people of Chinese ancestry. |
| The team found some genetic variants previously thought to be associated with dyslexia were not flagged up in the latest work. | The team found some genetic variants previously thought to be associated with dyslexia were not flagged up in the latest work. |
| “Our study was much more powerful than these previous ones, so the results are more reliable,” said Luciano. | “Our study was much more powerful than these previous ones, so the results are more reliable,” said Luciano. |
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| Using results from other studies, the team found genetic correlations between dyslexia and a number of other traits. These included having ADHD, having equal use of right and left hands, and greater reporting of pain. | Using results from other studies, the team found genetic correlations between dyslexia and a number of other traits. These included having ADHD, having equal use of right and left hands, and greater reporting of pain. |
| Luciano added there were some surprises, including a lack of genetic overlap between dyslexia and brain imaging measures. That, she said, was unexpected given various brain regions and networks have been linked to reading skill. “This suggests that the relationship is influenced by the environment,” she said. | Luciano added there were some surprises, including a lack of genetic overlap between dyslexia and brain imaging measures. That, she said, was unexpected given various brain regions and networks have been linked to reading skill. “This suggests that the relationship is influenced by the environment,” she said. |
| Dr Helen Ross, a trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, said: “We welcome any insight into biological origins of dyslexia; it provides further and robust evidence that dyslexia is a discrete difference, which has biological roots, but social implications. Any insight which will help us to identify people who may have dyslexia will be helpful in providing early intervention to bypass the potential of years of academic challenge and associated difficulties.” | Dr Helen Ross, a trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, said: “We welcome any insight into biological origins of dyslexia; it provides further and robust evidence that dyslexia is a discrete difference, which has biological roots, but social implications. Any insight which will help us to identify people who may have dyslexia will be helpful in providing early intervention to bypass the potential of years of academic challenge and associated difficulties.” |