|
Scientists from the University of Helsinki believe that they have identified the gene responsible for dyslexia. While previous research has been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the learning disorder, these researchers have now suggested that the disorder may be linked to a genetic fault. They studied 20 unrelated Finnish families, with 58 dyslexic and 61 non-dyslexic members. They confirmed the diagnosis by testing for cognitive ability, reading and spelling skills, and reading-related neurocognitive skills.
The scientists then did chromosomal linkage studies in the families selected. In the first family, a gene called DYXC1 was disrupted. In another, DYXC1 had a polymorphism that caused cells to produce a shortened version of the DYXC1 protein. They concluded that DYXC1 should be regarded as a candidate gene for developmental dyslexia, The gene is expressed in brain cells and its associated protein does not resemble any other known proteins.
The researchers point out that this gene is unlikely to explain all cases of dyslexia, but it does strongly suggest that dyslexia is a genetically complex condition. This study will certainly stimulate additional resesearch and offers some directions for other investigators.
The study can be downloaded from the University of Helsinki.
12:39:09 PM 
|
