Genetics and Health

Gene for Developmental Dyslexia

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on June 20th, 2005

According to The International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the population have a language-based learning disability with dyslexia being the most common cause of reading, writing, and spelling difficulties. There are three main types of dyslexia - trauma dyslexia, primary dyslexia and developmental dyslexia. While primary dyslexia appears to be hereditary, the biologic mechanisms behind developmental dyslexia are still unclear.

Researchers from Cardiff University found that a gene of unknown function, KIAA0319, is associated with developmental dyslexia. (American Journal of Human Genetics, April 2005) Developmental dyslexia is believed to be related to hormonal changes during the early stages of fetal development and is more common in boys. It usually becomes less severe as the child matures.

Finding the genes involved in dyslexia will help everyone, not just people with severe learning disabilities. A better understanding of how our brain learns will make it possible to develop better techniques for memory retention, information processing, and other thought processes.

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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease