Genes that influence dyslexia

A large-scale gene study identifies series of DNA variants linked to dyslexia. An international team of scientists has for the first time pinpointed a large number of genes that are reliably associated with dyslexia. Depositphoto - An international team of scientists, including researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen (Netherlands), has for the first time pinpointed a large number of genes that are reliably associated with dyslexia. Around a third of the 42 genetic variants identified have been previously linked to general cognitive abilities and educational attainment. The researchers say their findings may aid our understanding of the biology behind why some children struggle to read or spell. Dyslexia is known to run in families - partly because of genetic factors - but, until now, little was known about the identities of the genes involved. The new study, led by the University of Edinburgh and published in the journal Nature Genetics, represents the largest molecular genetic investigation of dyslexia to date.