Generalist Genes and Learning Disabilities.
Abstract
The authors reviewed recent quantitative genetic research on learning disabilities that led to the conclusion that genetic diagnoses differ from traditional diagnoses in that the effects of relevant genes are largely general rather than specific. This research suggests that most genes associated with common learning disabilities--language impairment, reading disability, and mathematics disability--are generalists in 3 ways. First, genes that affect common learning disabilities are largely the same genes responsible for normal variation in learning abilities. Second, genes that affect any aspect of a learning disability affect other aspects of the disability. Third, genes that affect one learning disability are also likely to affect other learning disabilities. These quantitative genetic findings have far-reaching implications for molecular genetics and neuroscience as well as psychology.
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Twin and family studies show strong genetic correlations across diverse cognitive domains, suggesting pleiotropy, and across levels of ability.
“twin and family studies show strong genetic correlations across diverse cognitive domains 11 , suggesting pleiotropy, and across levels of ability 11”
From Genome-wide association meta-analysis in 269,867 individuals identifies new genetic and functional links to intelligence (2018) · cites this paper as [11]
Cites
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Self-citationGenetics and general cognitive ability (g)
Plomin, R., & Spinath, F. M. (2002) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01853-2 · Cited by 191 · cited 2× · see citing works
“A bivariate genetic analysis of the two tasks yielded a genetic correlation of .84 (Plomin & Spinath, 2002), indicating substantial genetic overlap between these tasks.”
BackgroundMethodSelf-citationGenetic etiology of comorbid reading difficulties and ADHD
Willcutt, E. G., DeFries, J. C., Pennington, B. F., Smith, S. D., Cardon, L. R., & Olson, R. K. (2003) · Behavioral genetics in the postgenomic era. · doi:10.1037/10480-013 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
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Comorbidity: a network perspective
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Self-citationGenetics and intelligence differences: five special findings
Plomin, R., & Deary, I. J. (2015) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/mp.2014.105 · Cited by 702 · see citing works
Self-citationHaidt, J., & Joseph, C. (2008) · The Innate Mind, Volume 3 · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195332834.003.0019 · Cited by 650 · see citing works
Comorbidity of learning disorders: prevalence and familial transmission
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Are specific learning disorders truly specific, and are they disorders?
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Common DNA Markers Can Account for More Than Half of the Genetic Influence on Cognitive Abilities
Plomin, R., Haworth, C. M. A., Meaburn, E. L., Price, T. S., Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium 2, & Davis, O. S. P. (2013) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797612457952 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
“Multivariate GCTA models can also be used to test other hypotheses that have emerged from family-based genetic research on cognitive abilities, such as the generalist-genes hypothesis, which posits high genetic correlations among diverse cognitive abilities and disabilities (Plomin & Kovas, 2005).”
MethodSelf-citationDiscontinuity in the genetic and environmental causes of the intellectual disability spectrum
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“…confirmed in the Communication disorders (Stuttering : Andrews et al. 1991 ; Bloodstein & Ratner, 2008), Language Impairment (e.g. Expressive Language Disorder, Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, Phonological Disorder : Plomin & Dale, 2001) ; the Learning disorders (Plomin & Kovas, 2005.”
Background15q11.2 CNV affects cognitive, structural and functional correlates of dyslexia and dyscalculia
Ulfarsson, M. O., Walters, G. B., Gustafsson, O., Steinberg, S., Silva, A., Doyle, O. M., Brammer, M., Gudbjartsson, D. F., Arnarsdottir, S., Jonsdottir, G. A., et al. (2017) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/tp.2017.77 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Haworth, C. M. A., Wright, M. J., Martin, N. W., Martin, N. G., Boomsma, D. I., Bartels, M., Posthuma, D., Davis, O. S. P., Brant, A. M., Corley, R. P., et al. (2009) · Behavior Genetics · doi:10.1007/s10519-009-9262-3 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
“A substantial body of genetic research using the classical twin design has demonstrated the important role of genetics as a risk factor in the development of cognitive disabilities (Plomin and Kovas 2005).”
MethodSelf-citationPlomin, R., & Davis, O. S. P. (2009) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01978.x · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationCantiani, C., Ortiz-Mantilla, S., Riva, V., Piazza, C., Bettoni, R., Musacchia, G., Molteni, M., Marino, C., & Benasich, A. A. (2019) · NeuroImage: Clinical · doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101778 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Mascheretti, S., Trezzi, V., Giorda, R., Boivin, M., Plourde, V., Vitaro, F., Brendgen, M., Dionne, G., & Marino, C. (2017) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.12612 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
- Authors
- Plomin, R., & Kovas, Y.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- Venue
- Psychological Bulletin
- Published
- 2005
- Volume
- 131
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 592-617
- ISSN
- 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1455
- OpenAlex
- W2131106713
- Cited by
- 534
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 34
- FWCI
- 9.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Reading and Literacy Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Keywords
- learning disabilities, quantitative genetics, language impairment, reading disorders, mathematics learning difficulties
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Learning Disabilities, Twins
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