Progress towards a cellular neurobiology of reading disability

Abstract

Reading Disability (RD) is a significant impairment in reading accuracy, speed and/or comprehension despite adequate intelligence and educational opportunity. RD affects 5–12% of readers, has a well-established genetic risk, and is of unknown neurobiological cause or causes. In this review we discuss recent findings that revealed neuroanatomic anomalies in RD, studies that identified 3 candidate genes (KIAA0319, DYX1C1, and DCDC2), and compelling evidence that potentially link the function of candidate genes to the neuroanatomic anomalies. A hypothesis has emerged in which impaired neuronal migration is a cellular neurobiological antecedent to RD. We critically evaluate the evidence for this hypothesis, highlight missing evidence, and outline future research efforts that will be required to develop a more complete cellular neurobiology of RD.

Keywords

• Dyslexia
• Neocortex
• Neuronal migration
• Development
• DCDC2
• KIAA0319