B3233 - Genetic and environmental factors influencing neurodevelopmental traits - 18/12/2018

B number: 
B3233
Principal applicant name: 
Silvia Paracchini | University of St Andrews (UK)
Co-applicants: 
Filippo Abbondanza, Judith Schmitz
Title of project: 
Genetic and environmental factors influencing neurodevelopmental traits
Proposal summary: 

The overarching goal of this project is to study risk factors contributing to common neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e. dyslexia and language impairment). We expect such factor to be both of biological (e.g. genetics) and environmental (e.g. socio-economic status) nature. Building on our previous work, we will take advantage of the rich cognitive and behavioural profiling available for the ALSPAC dataset. Atypical handedness has been consistently reported as a factor contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders. We will use a range of laterality indexes for hand preference to study the genetics of handedness and understand its relationship with disorders. The analysis will be conducted in the context of large international collaborations. The longitudinal dimension of the ALSPAC data will also allow us to study trajectories associated to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Impact of research: 
This project will generate new knowledge aimed at improving our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders. Our goal is to provide new to tools to improve the management of these conditions. In the shortest term this project will increase awareness around these disorders. It has been shown that research into neurodevelopmental disorders is not equally distributed, with the majority of funding going towards autism or ADHD research (Bishop, 2010 PLoSONE 5(11): e15112). Most other neurodevelopmental conditions receive less attention, again with large cross-disorder disparity, in spite of similar prevalence. For example, a child with dyscalculia is less likely to receive a diagnosis and, in turn, adequate support, compared to a child with dyslexia. With such differences, it is very challenging to fully assess and understand the impact of these conditions on later outcomes.
Date proposal received: 
Tuesday, 18 December, 2018
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 18 December, 2018
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Developmental disorders - autism, Cognitive impairment, Learning difficulty, Mental health, Speech/language problem, dyscalculia, stuttering, ADHD, dysgraphia, DNA sequencing, Gene mapping, Cognition - cognitive function, Communication (including non-verbal), Intelligence - memory, Neurology, Psychology - personality, Sex differences, Social science, Speech and language, Whole genome sequencing, Development, Epigenetics, Genetic epidemiology, Genetics, Genomics, Genome wide association study, Growth, Handedness