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Is dyslexia hereditary\u2014or is that just a long-repeated myth? A new genetic study led by Hayley Mountford reveals 13 DNA fragments that may influence how we learn to read.<\/p>\n
The Genetic Clue That Changes the Picture of Dyslexia<\/p>\n
\u201cWe conducted the largest genetic study of dyslexia in history<\/strong>,\u201d write the scientists of the international research team. Their analysis covered genetic data from 1.2 million people<\/strong>, allowing for unprecedented precision in mapping the genes.<\/p>\n Dyslexia is a condition that affects reading, writing, and processing verbal information. Earlier twin studies suggested that genes strongly determine it\u2014they estimated their influence at 40-60 percent. Now, researchers took on the challenge of precisely identifying which regions of the genome<\/strong> hold responsibility for this.<\/p>\n Is Dyslexia Hereditary?<\/p>\n The researchers identified a total of 80 genomic regions associated with dyslexia. They had not previously recognized 36 of them as significant. A striking 13 regions were never before linked<\/strong> to reading difficulties.<\/p>\n Many newly identified genes play a critical role in early brain development. Genes affecting neurons interacting with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)<\/strong> proved particularly important.<\/p>\n The Link to ADHD \u2013 And a Certain Surprise<\/p>\n Furthermore, some of these genes overlap with genes associated with ADHD<\/strong>, which may explain why both conditions often co-occur. At the same time, they found no significant genetic correlation with autism, which challenges some previous hypotheses.<\/p>\n The Unexpected Link to Pain<\/p>\n Analyzing the vast datasets revealed something surprising: a correlation between dyslexia and chronic pain<\/strong>. \u201cThe underlying mechanism remains unexplained, however, the genetic overlap between pain-related phenotypes and neurodevelopmental traits may point to a shared biological basis,\u201d reads the study published in Translational Psychiatry<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dyslexia and\u2026 Pain? An Unusual Clue<\/p>\n Individuals with dyslexia more frequently report body-wide pain, neck and shoulder pain, and discomfort while walking. This discovery opens a completely new research perspective. Could some people with dyslexia be more sensitive to pain<\/strong>? Or do common developmental processes in the brain influence both language processing and pain perception?<\/p>\n Brain, Neurons, GABA. What Did Scientists Discover?<\/p>\n Identifying these genes is only the beginning. The researchers calculated that the discovered genetic variants explain 12.9 to 20.4 percent of the heritability of dyslexia<\/strong>\u2014depending on how we estimate its prevalence in the population. Scientists also tested how well their discoveries correlated with reading difficulties. In a study of 6,410 children, their genetic model explained 2.3 to 4.7 percent of the variance in reading skills\u2014small, but enough to confirm the validity of the discoveries.<\/p>\n Now, scientists can investigate exactly how these genes influence brain development and why some people struggle with reading. Researchers are now closer to fully understanding the genetic basis of dyslexia<\/strong> and how to use this knowledge for better support.<\/p>\n Read more about Positive Thinking Protects Against Illness<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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