Association between the A1 allele of the DRD2 gene and reduced verbal abilities in adolescence and early adulthood.
Behavioral genetic research has consistently revealed that genetic factors explain at least one half of the variance in measures of cognitive skills. However, the specific DNA markers involved in the etiology of cognitive abilities have remained elusive. The current study examined the association between the TaqI polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and verbal skills. Analysis of data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) revealed that the A1 allele was associated with group membership in high-, average-, and low-verbal skills groups for Caucasians. The results suggest that DRD2 may be related to domain specific cognitive abilities, such as verbal skills.
College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida State University, 634 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1127, USA. kbeaver@fsu.edu
Kevin M
KM
Beaver
Matt
M
Delisi
Michael G
MG
Vaughn
John Paul
JP
Wright
D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007807:Language Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014481:United States; D014706:Verbal Learning; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2