Speaking genes or genes for speaking? Deciphering the genetics of speech and language.
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.
Grigorenko
Elena L
EL
Yale University, Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, CT 06519-1124, USA. elena.grigorenko@yale.edu
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
C403049:CNTNAP2 protein, human; C465448:FOXP2 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins