A genome-wide association study identifies multiple loci associated with mathematics ability and disability

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Quantitative Genetics

Background:

• Numeracy is crucial, yet its genetic underpinnings are poorly understood.
• Previous research indicates moderate heritability of mathematical ability.
• This is the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) for mathematical ability and disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify genetic variants associated with mathematical ability and disability.
• To investigate the genetic architecture of mathematical skills.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide association study (GWAS) on pooled DNA from high- and low-ability 10-year-olds.
• Validation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations in a larger, individually genotyped sample (n=2356).
• Assessment of mathematical ability using teacher reports and online tests.

Main Results:

• Ten out of 43 candidate SNPs were validated (P < 0.05).
• The 10 validated SNPs collectively explain 2.9% of phenotypic variance in mathematical ability.
• Individuals with 10 or more risk alleles were nearly twice as likely to be in the lowest performance group (OR = 1.96).

Conclusions:

• Mathematical ability and disability are influenced by numerous genes with small effects.
• Candidate genes, such as NRCAM, are implicated in neuronal cell adhesion.
• Larger studies are needed to detect and replicate these quantitative trait locus (QTL) associations.