Three dyslexia susceptibility genes, DYX1C1, DCDC2, and KIAA0319, affect temporo-parietal white matter structure.
BACKGROUND
Volume and integrity of white matter correlate with reading ability, but the underlying factors contributing to this variability are unknown.


METHODS
We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms in three genes previously associated with dyslexia and implicated in neuronal migration (DYX1C1, DCDC2, KIAA0319) and white matter volume in a cohort of 76 children and young adults from the general population.


RESULTS
We found that all three genes contained polymorphisms that were significantly associated with white matter volume in the left temporo-parietal region and that white matter volume influenced reading ability.


CONCLUSIONS
The identified region contained white matter pathways connecting the middle temporal gyrus with the inferior parietal lobe. The finding links previous neuroimaging and genetic results and proposes a mechanism underlying variability in reading ability in both normal and impaired readers.
Neuroscience Department, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Fahimeh
F
Darki
Myriam
M
Peyrard-Janvid
Hans
H
Matsson
Juha
J
Kere
Torkel
T
Klingberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000235:genetics; D011932:Reading; D013548:Sweden; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C510451:DCDC2 protein, human; C478878:DNAAF4 protein, human; C500377:KIAA0319 protein, human; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins