No Clear Genetic Influences on the Association between Dyslexia and Anxiety in a Population-Based Sample of Female Twins

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: No Clear Genetic Influences on the Association between Dyslexia and Anxiety in a Population-Based Sample of Female Twins
Language: English
Authors: Whitehouse, Andrew J. O., Spector, Tim D., Cherkas, Lynn F.
Source: Dyslexia. Nov 2009 15(4):282-290.
Availability: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774. Tel: 800-825-7550; Tel: 201-748-6645; Fax: 201-748-6021; e-mail: subinfo@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-DYS.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2009
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Emotional Problems, Twins, Dyslexia, Genetics, Environmental Influences, Anxiety Disorders, At Risk Persons, Stress Variables, Psychological Patterns, Mental Disorders, Correlation, Females, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1002/dys.378
ISSN: 1076-9242
Abstract: Individuals with dyslexia are at an increased risk for anxiety disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder, stress disorders, panic disorder). The extent to which this association is mediated by genetic and/or environmental influences is unclear. The current study explored the relationship between these two phenotypes using a large population-based twin sample. In total, 940 monozygotic and 903 dizygotic female twin pairs were included in the analyses. The presence of dyslexia and anxiety was determined by self-report of diagnosis by a health professional. Tetrachoric correlations confirmed an association between the two phenotypes, but suggested that there was no evidence for shared genetic risks. Bivariate twin modelling corroborated this finding and indicated the relationship between dyslexia and anxiety is mediated by shared environmental factors. Future research should seek to identifying the environmental factors that increase the vulnerability of individuals with dyslexia to emotional problems should be a priority for future research. (Contains 2 figures and 3 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 24
Entry Date: 2009
Accession Number: EJ861091
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Individuals with dyslexia are at an increased risk for anxiety disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder, stress disorders, panic disorder). The extent to which this association is mediated by genetic and/or environmental influences is unclear. The current study explored the relationship between these two phenotypes using a large population-based twin sample. In total, 940 monozygotic and 903 dizygotic female twin pairs were included in the analyses. The presence of dyslexia and anxiety was determined by self-report of diagnosis by a health professional. Tetrachoric correlations confirmed an association between the two phenotypes, but suggested that there was no evidence for shared genetic risks. Bivariate twin modelling corroborated this finding and indicated the relationship between dyslexia and anxiety is mediated by shared environmental factors. Future research should seek to identifying the environmental factors that increase the vulnerability of individuals with dyslexia to emotional problems should be a priority for future research. (Contains 2 figures and 3 tables.)
ISSN:1076-9242
DOI:10.1002/dys.378