Lack of replication for the myosin-18B association with mathematical ability in independent cohorts

Genes Brain Behav. 2015 Apr;14(4):369-76. doi: 10.1111/gbb.12213. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Abstract

Twin studies indicate that dyscalculia (or mathematical disability) is caused partly by a genetic component, which is yet to be understood at the molecular level. Recently, a coding variant (rs133885) in the myosin-18B gene was shown to be associated with mathematical abilities with a specific effect among children with dyslexia. This association represents one of the most significant genetic associations reported to date for mathematical abilities and the only one reaching genome-wide statistical significance. We conducted a replication study in different cohorts to assess the effect of rs133885 maths-related measures. The study was conducted primarily using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), (N = 3819). We tested additional cohorts including the York Cohort, the Specific Language Impairment Consortium (SLIC) cohort and the Raine Cohort, and stratified them for a definition of dyslexia whenever possible. We did not observe any associations between rs133885 in myosin-18B and mathematical abilities among individuals with dyslexia or in the general population. Our results suggest that the myosin-18B variant is unlikely to be a main factor contributing to mathematical abilities.

Keywords: ALSPAC; cognitive abilities; dyscalculia; dyslexia; genetic association; neurodevelopmental disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dyscalculia / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myosins / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • MYO18B protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Myosins