Jeff Webb
Abstract
Developmental Dyslexia is a common Reading Disorder (RD) that affects 5-17% of the population. Unlike illiteracy, the hallmark of dyslexia is the inability to read despite proper instruction and proper intelligence, and contrary to popular belief affects the individual for life. Like most language skills, reading is a multifaceted ability that requires a large portion of the brain, so finding an exact genetic link that results in the dyslexia phenotype has been difficult, although a link is suggested by the high heritability of family and twin studies. Multiple studies have identified 9 possible susceptible regions using Linkage Findings, dyslexia susceptibility 1-9 (DYX1-9), with the most promising …show more content…
The WHO defines dyslexia as “A disorder manifested by difficulty learning to read despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence and sociocultural opportunity” [1]. Affecting 5-12% of the general population [3], Dyslexia and other Reading Disorders (RD) pose a major education and social problem. Studies have shown that those with dyslexia sometimes develop social and psychological problems, such as depression and disorders of social behavior [5]. Despite the common misconception that dyslexia is just difficulty with reading based tasks, the disorder does not dissipate with age and the children will never catch up in their reading skills [4]. This can lead to lower levels of education compared to unaffected peers, which can set those with RD back for …show more content…
Using both single-marker and multipoint variance component linkage analysis, they tested 2p, 6p, 15q, and 18p. After LOD score analysis, only chromosome 15q showed significant evidence with a LOD score of 2.34 at a distance of 3cM from D15S143. The location is located in a region that is also associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, suggesting that the two disorders could be linked.
DYX2 - chromosome 6p21-p22 [16,17]
Chromosomal Region 6p21-p22 has been one of the most replicated regions of linkage for dyslexia. Several genetic studies on dyslexia suggested a strong link between chromosome 6 and dyslexia. In 2001, Fisher et al wanted to provide the building body of research with a genome-wide QTL analysis. The study revealed significant linkage with phonological decoding (p<.01). In humans, this correlates to less neuronal migration in the inferior temporal and medial temporal cortices and the left anterior inferior parietal lobe, which are associated with visual processing and facial and character recognition [24,25].
Brain Imaging Analyses of Reading