The correlation between reading and mathematics ability at age twelve has a substantial genetic component.
other · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 25003214.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/ncomms5204 and PMC identifier 4102107.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Dissecting how genetic and environmental influences impact on learning is helpful for maximizing numeracy and literacy. Here we show, using twin and genome-wide analysis, that there is a substantial genetic component to children's ability in reading and mathematics, and estimate that around one half of the observed correlation in these traits is due to shared genetic effects (so-called Generalist Genes). Thus, our results highlight the potential role of the learning environment in contributing to differences in a child's cognitive abilities at age twelve.
Medical subject headings
- Dyslexia
- Genetics, Population
- Mathematics
- Quantitative Trait, Heritable
- Reading
- Twins