Approach to Epigenetic Analysis in Language Disorders

2012

Shelley Smith
[email protected]
402-559-5314

Language and learning disorders such as reading disability and language impairment are recognized to be subject to substantial genetic influences, but few causal mutations have been identified in the coding regions of candidate genes. Association analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms have suggested the involvement of regulatory regions of these genes, and a few mutations affecting gene expression levels have been identified, indicating that the quantity rather than the quality of the gene product may be most relevant for these disorders. In addition, several of the candidate genes appear to be involved in neuronal migration, confirming the importance of early developmental processes. Accordingly, alterations in epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and histone modification are likely to be important in the causes of language and learning disorders based on their functions in gene regulation.

Dyslexia, Epigenetics, Language impairment, Reading disability

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

Professionals, Students

[email protected]

N/A