title: Deficits in learning and memory in mice with a mutation of the candidate dyslexia susceptibility gene Dyx1c1.
abstract: Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by difficulty learning to read and write. The underlying biological and genetic etiology remains poorly understood. One candidate gene, dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1), has been shown to be associated with deficits in short-term memory in dyslexic populations. The purpose of the current study was to examine the behavioral phenotype of a mouse model with a homozygous conditional (forebrain) knockout of the rodent homolog Dyx1c1. Twelve Dyx1c1 conditional homozygous knockouts, 7 Dyx1c1 conditional heterozygous knockouts and 6 wild-type controls were behaviorally assessed. Mice with the homozygous Dyx1c1 knockout showed deficits on memory and learning, but not on auditory or motor tasks. These findings affirm existing evidence that DYX1C1 may play an underlying role in the development of neural systems important to learning and memory, and disruption of this function could contribute to the learning deficits seen in individuals with dyslexia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT 06269, United States. Electronic address: Amanda.Rendall@uconn.edu.
authors.forename: Amanda R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rendall
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, 75 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3156, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Aarti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Hector M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Contreras-Mora
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, 75 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3156, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: LoTurco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
authors.forename: R Holly
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Fitch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D011932:Reading
chemical_list: C584544:DYX1C1 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins
keywords: Animal models; Dyslexia; Dyx1c1; Genetics; Language impairments; Learning; Rapid auditory processing; Working memory