title: Breakthroughs in the search for dyslexia candidate genes.
abstract: Four genes have recently been proposed as candidates for dyslexia: dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1), roundabout Drosophila homolog 1 (ROBO1), doublecortin domain-containing protein 2 (DCDC2) and KIAA0319. Each gene is implicated in global brain-development processes such as neural migration and axonal guidance, with the exception of DYX1C1, the function of which is still unknown. The most immediate clinical prospect of the discovery of these genes is the possibility of early identification of dyslexia via genetic screening. However, research efforts have yet to identify a functional mutation in any of these genes. When causal variants are identified, they will need to be considered within a multifactorial framework, which is likely to involve gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, to make accurate predictions of diagnostic status.
authors.affiliation: University of Denver, Department of Psychology, Frontier Hall, 2155 S. Race St., Denver, CO 80208, USA. lmcgrath@du.edu
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Shelley D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Bruce F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Pennington
mesh_terms: D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 / Q000235:genetics; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011932:Reading; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins; C510451:DCDC2 protein, human; C478878:DNAAF4 protein, human; C500377:KIAA0319 protein, human