title: Speaking genes or genes for speaking? Deciphering the genetics of speech and language.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article selectively reviews the status of the genetic research in the field of speech and language disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Major contributions to the field are selected, presented, and discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The field presents itself through a variety of findings, characterized by both consistencies and inconsistencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The last 30 + years of the field unequivocally testify to the importance of genetic factors in the acquisition of speech and language. However, the details of how these factors exert their influence are yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, CT 06519-1124, USA. elena.grigorenko@yale.edu
authors.forename: Elena L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Grigorenko
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D014706:Verbal Learning
chemical_list: C403049:CNTNAP2 protein, human; C465448:FOXP2 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins