Developmental language disorder - heritability and genetic correlations with other disorders affecting language
Ron Nudel1, Rikke Vang Chrsitensen2, Nelli Kalnak3
1CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Research Center for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Psychiatry Research
|September 30, 2024
Summary
Developmental language disorder (DLD) has a significant genetic component, with heritability estimates ranging from 27% to 52%. This study provides the first molecular genetic heritability estimate for DLD, finding no significant genetic links to related traits.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Psycholinguistics
Background:
- Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting language without a known biomedical cause.
- DLD significantly affects individuals' lives and mental health.
- Family studies suggest a strong genetic basis for DLD, yet molecular genetic research remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the heritability of DLD using molecular genetic data.
- To investigate genetic correlations between DLD and related language traits or disorders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Danish Blood Donor Study (>25,000 individuals).
- Employed SNP-based heritability estimation.
- Analyzed genotype and questionnaire data on language disorder and support.
Main Results:
- Significant SNP-based heritability for DLD was found, varying between approximately 27% and 52% by method.
- No significant genetic correlations were detected with the examined disorders or traits.
- A notable negative genetic correlation was observed between DLD and nonword repetition ability.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first significant molecular genetic heritability estimate for DLD.
- The findings underscore the substantial genetic influence on DLD.
- Further research is needed to explore the genetic architecture of DLD and its relationship with specific language abilities.
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