Authors:
Davis OSP, Band G, Pirinen M, Haworth CMA, Meaburn EL, ..., Blackwell JM, et al.
Authors notes:
Nature Communications 5: 4204
Keywords:
genetics, environmental influences, learning, numeracy, literacy, genome-wide analysis, Generalist Genes
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.