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Scientists discover dyslexia gene
The Beeb ^ | 10/28/2005 | Satff

Posted on 10/28/2005 12:32:17 PM PDT by Red Badger

Up to a fifth of dyslexia cases could be caused by a faulty version of a gene called DCDC2, scientists believe.

In the mutant form, DCDC2 leads to a disruption in the formation of brain circuits that make it possible to read, say the Yale team.

Their finding could lead to earlier diagnosis of dyslexia, meaning educational programmes for dyslexic children could be started earlier.

The work is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

We now have strong statistical evidence that a large number of dyslexic cases - perhaps as many as 20% - are due to the DCDC2 gene Researcher Dr Jeffrey Gruen

The gene is located on chromosome six and Dr Jeffrey Gruen and his team at Yale School of Medicine believe it causes as many as 20% of dyslexia cases.

Dyslexia covers a range of types of learning difficulty where someone of normal intelligence has persistent and significant problems with reading, writing, spelling.

Up to six million Britons are believed to have dyslexia - 4% of the population is severely dyslexic and a further 6% have limited problems.

Other genes have already been linked to dyslexia.

Dr Gruen and his team studied 153 families with members who had dyslexia.

By comparing specific DNA markers they found many of the people with dyslexia were missing a large portion of genetic material in the DCDC2 gene.

Dr Gruen said; "The gene itself is expressed in reading centres of the brain where it modulates migration of neurons. This very architecture of brain circuitry is necessary for normal reading.

The earlier dyslexia friendly teaching practices are implemented, the more likely dyslexic people are to acquire the skills required to reach their full potential A spokeswoman from the British Dyslexia Association

"We now have strong statistical evidence that a large number of dyslexic cases - perhaps as many as 20% - are due to the DCDC2 gene."

They said it was likely that many other genes were also involved in dyslexia - some already discovered and some still to be discovered.

Scientists at Karolinska Institute, working alongside a team of researchers from Finland, have identified a new gene on chromosome 3, called ROBO1, that appears to be associated with dyslexia.

Their study is due to appear in the scientific journal PLoS Genetics.

A spokeswoman from the British Dyslexia Association said: "Even though dyslexia is unlikely to be a single gene disorder this new knowledge could lead to earlier identification of this learning difference.

"Our research has shown that the earlier dyslexia friendly teaching practices are implemented, the more likely dyslexic people are to acquire the skills required to reach their full potential."


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Unclassified; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: dna; dyslexia; genetics; science
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1 posted on 10/28/2005 12:32:18 PM PDT by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

DCDC2? or is the 2CDCD ?


2 posted on 10/28/2005 12:37:23 PM PDT by soltice
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To: Red Badger

I nac daer tsuj enif. oN smelborp ereh.


3 posted on 10/28/2005 12:38:18 PM PDT by Frenetic
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To: Red Badger

They found this gene in the NDA.


4 posted on 10/28/2005 12:38:40 PM PDT by SmithL (There are a lot of people that hate Bush more than they hate terrorists)
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To: Red Badger

wow

tahw seod ti lla naem?


5 posted on 10/28/2005 12:39:24 PM PDT by jsh3180 (17 mile marker just north of key west)
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To: soltice

I thought it said R2D2....


6 posted on 10/28/2005 12:39:29 PM PDT by Minnesoootan
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To: soltice

On the ACDC gene........


7 posted on 10/28/2005 12:41:10 PM PDT by Red Badger (I've eaten so much crow in my life that I'm immune to bird flu.........)
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To: Red Badger

Dyslexics of the world untie.


8 posted on 10/28/2005 12:43:05 PM PDT by Vinnie
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To: Red Badger

What's lysdexia?


9 posted on 10/28/2005 12:45:37 PM PDT by manwiththehands
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To: Vinnie

LOL!!!...I was waiting for THAT one!........


10 posted on 10/28/2005 12:46:27 PM PDT by Red Badger (I've eaten so much crow in my life that I'm immune to bird flu.........)
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To: Red Badger
Their finding could lead to earlier diagnosis of dyslexia, meaning educational programmes for dyslexic children could be started earlier.

Also potentially meaning the abortion of babies with this dyslexia gene before they are born by parents looking to have the perfect baby.

11 posted on 10/28/2005 12:46:37 PM PDT by Question_Assumptions
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To: Red Badger

I have a friend who is an agnostic, dyslexic, insomniac.


He lays awake at night, wondering if there really is a doG.


12 posted on 10/28/2005 12:47:33 PM PDT by wolfpat (Congress is the only whorehouse in America that loses money.)
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To: Red Badger

You knew what was gonna happen when you posted this!


13 posted on 10/28/2005 12:47:42 PM PDT by Delta 21 (MKC USCG-ret)
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To: wolfpat

LOL!!!!.....good one......


14 posted on 10/28/2005 12:49:06 PM PDT by Red Badger (I've eaten so much crow in my life that I'm immune to bird flu.........)
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To: Question_Assumptions

But if the baby has it one or both of them have it too.........They would already wonk.......


15 posted on 10/28/2005 12:50:23 PM PDT by Red Badger (I've eaten so much crow in my life that I'm immune to bird flu.........)
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To: Red Badger; cyborg; nuconvert
dyslexia

dsyelxia

disyexal

siedyxal

sexidyal

sexdiyal

sexdayil

sexdaiyl

sexdaily

sex daily!

Yeah baby! Dyslexia is cool for you.

16 posted on 10/28/2005 12:52:12 PM PDT by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: spetznaz

Yeah, but you wind up doing it backwards!........


17 posted on 10/28/2005 12:54:05 PM PDT by Red Badger (I've eaten so much crow in my life that I'm immune to bird flu.........)
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To: Red Badger

And the downside would be...?

Reminds me of my favorite joke, you know, the one about the agnostic, dyslexic, insomniac who lay awake at night pondering the existence of dog.


18 posted on 10/28/2005 12:57:17 PM PDT by swain_forkbeard (Rationality may not be sufficient, but it is necessary.)
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To: Vinnie; Red Badger

A dyslexic man walks into a bra...


19 posted on 10/28/2005 1:08:34 PM PDT by 4mycountry (You cannot oppose fate. Blame it, you can do, but oppose it? No way.) (ToS logic)
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To: Red Badger

NWO they tlel me...!


20 posted on 10/28/2005 1:11:45 PM PDT by pabianice
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