Findings from New Research Could Lead to Earlier Diagnoses of Dyslexia

A new study from Yale of the genetic origins of dyslexia and other learning disabilities could allow for earlier diagnoses and more successful interventions.

The researchers studied 10,000 children who were part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in order to unravel the genetic components of reading and verbal language. They were able to identify genetic variants that can predispose children to dyslexia and language impairment.

In a previous study, senior author Jeffrey R. Gruen, M.D., found that a gene called DCDC2 was linked to dyslexia.

This new study looked deeper into the DCDC2 gene to discover which parts of it are responsible for dyslexia and language impairment.

They found some variants of a gene regulator called READ1 within the DCDC2 gene are associated with problems in reading performance while other variants are associated with problems in verbal language performance.

Gruen believes that these findings will help professionals identify the pathway for fluent reading which will help them offer earlier and more effective intervention.

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