Claire M. A. Haworth|Yulia Kovas|Nicole Harlaar|Marianna E. Hayiou?Thomas|Stephen A. Petrill|Philip S. Dale|Robert Plomin
Generalist genes and learning disabilities: a multivariate genetic analysis of low performance in reading, mathematics, language and general cognitive ability in a sample of 8000 12?year?old twins
King's College London|Goldsmiths University of London|The Ohio State University|University of York|The Ohio State University|University of New Mexico|King's College London
previous investigation found genes influence poor reading mathematics performance 10yearolds assess whether finding extends language general cognitive disabilities well replicating earlier finding reading mathematics older larger sampleusing representative sample 4000 pairs 12yearold twins uk twins early development study investigated genetic environmental overlap internetbased batteries language general cognitive ability tests addition tests reading mathematics bottom 15 distribution using defriesfulker extremes analysis compared results entire distributionall four traits highly correlated low extreme average group phenotypic correlation 58 entire distribution average phenotypic correlation 59 genetic correlations low extreme consistently high average 67 nonshared environmental correlations modest average 23 results similar seen across entire distribution 68 23 respectivelythe generalist genes hypothesis holds language general cognitive disabilities well reading mathematics disabilities genetic correlations high indicating strong degree overlap genetic influences diverse traits contrast nonshared environmental influences largely specific trait causing phenotypic differentiation traits