1
|
Chilosi AM, Brovedani P, Cipriani P, Casalini C. Sex differences in early language delay and in developmental language disorder. J Neurosci Res 2021; 101:654-667. [PMID: 34822733 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, occurring in about 3% to 7% of preschoolers, that can impair communication and negatively impact educational and social attainments, in spite of adequate neurological, cognitive, emotional, social development, and educational opportunities for language learning. Significant risk factors for DLD are male sex, familial history of early language delay, low parental education, and various perinatal factors. A strong sex effect with a higher prevalence of language delay and DLD in males than in females has been consistently reported. Neurobiological and environmental risk factors, interacting with each other, are probably responsible for the phenotypic expression of DLD. The aim of this brief review is to further the knowledge of the role of sex in early language delay and DLD by analyzing the evidence from four significant sources: epidemiological studies, studies on twins, family aggregation studies, and studies on sex chromosome trisomies. Data pertaining only to sex differences (biological and physiological characteristics of females and males) will be analyzed. Studies on family aggregations and twins confirm the role of genetic factors and of sex in determining language abilities and disabilities, but genes alone do not determine outcomes. Sex chromosome trisomies represent a unique example of the relationship between a genetic alteration and a language disorder. Clarification of how sex acts in determining DLD could provide new information on early risk factors and, thus, contribute to improve diagnosis and clinical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Chilosi
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Brovedani
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Casalini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ladányi E, Persici V, Fiveash A, Tillmann B, Gordon RL. Is atypical rhythm a risk factor for developmental speech and language disorders? WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2020; 11:e1528. [PMID: 32244259 PMCID: PMC7415602 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although a growing literature points to substantial variation in speech/language abilities related to individual differences in musical abilities, mainstream models of communication sciences and disorders have not yet incorporated these individual differences into childhood speech/language development. This article reviews three sources of evidence in a comprehensive body of research aligning with three main themes: (a) associations between musical rhythm and speech/language processing, (b) musical rhythm in children with developmental speech/language disorders and common comorbid attentional and motor disorders, and (c) individual differences in mechanisms underlying rhythm processing in infants and their relationship with later speech/language development. In light of converging evidence on associations between musical rhythm and speech/language processing, we propose the Atypical Rhythm Risk Hypothesis, which posits that individuals with atypical rhythm are at higher risk for developmental speech/language disorders. The hypothesis is framed within the larger epidemiological literature in which recent methodological advances allow for large-scale testing of shared underlying biology across clinically distinct disorders. A series of predictions for future work testing the Atypical Rhythm Risk Hypothesis are outlined. We suggest that if a significant body of evidence is found to support this hypothesis, we can envision new risk factor models that incorporate atypical rhythm to predict the risk of developing speech/language disorders. Given the high prevalence of speech/language disorders in the population and the negative long-term social and economic consequences of gaps in identifying children at-risk, these new lines of research could potentially positively impact access to early identification and treatment. This article is categorized under: Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain Neuroscience > Development Linguistics > Language Acquisition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enikő Ladányi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Valentina Persici
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Anna Fiveash
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, CRNL, INSERM, University of Lyon 1, U1028, CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Tillmann
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, CRNL, INSERM, University of Lyon 1, U1028, CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon, France
| | - Reyna L Gordon
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Martin J, Tammimies K, Karlsson R, Lu Y, Larsson H, Lichtenstein P, Magnusson PKE. Copy number variation and neuropsychiatric problems in females and males in the general population. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2019; 180:341-350. [PMID: 30307693 PMCID: PMC6767107 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental problems (NPs) are more common in males, whereas anxiety and depression are more common in females. Rare copy number variants (CNVs) have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between rare CNVs with NPs, anxiety, and depression in a childhood population sample, as well as to examine sex-specific effects. We analyzed a sample of N = 12,982 children, of whom 5.3% had narrowly defined NPs (clinically diagnosed), 20.9% had broadly defined NPs (based on validated screening measures, but no diagnosis), and 3.0% had clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression. Rare (<1% frequency) CNVs were categorized by size (100-500 kb or > 500 kb), type, and putative relevance to NPs. We tested for association of CNV categories with outcomes and examined sex-specific effects. Medium deletions (OR[CI] = 1.18[1.05-1.33], p = .0053) and large duplications (OR[CI] = 1.45[1.19-1.75], p = .00017) were associated with broadly defined NPs. Large deletions (OR[CI] = 1.85[1.14-3.01], p = .013) were associated with narrowly defined NPs. There were no significant sex differences in CNV burden in individuals with NPs. Although CNVs were not associated with anxiety/depression in the whole sample, in individuals diagnosed with these disorders, females were more likely to have large CNVs (OR[CI] = 3.75[1.45-9.68], p = .0064). Rare CNVs are associated with both narrowly and broadly defined NPs in a general population sample of children. Our results also suggest that large, rare CNVs may show sex-specific phenotypic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Martin
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | - Kristiina Tammimies
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska Institutet and Center for Psychiatry ResearchStockholmSweden
| | - Robert Karlsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Henrik Larsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- School of Medical SciencesÖrebro UniversityÖrebroSweden
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jung M, Mody M, Fujioka T, Kimura Y, Okazawa H, Kosaka H. Sex Differences in White Matter Pathways Related to Language Ability. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:898. [PMID: 31555075 PMCID: PMC6723765 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from functional imaging studies points to a role for gender in language ability. However, recent studies suggest that sex differences in the neural basis of language are still unclear, reflecting a complex interaction between sex and language ability. We used diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging and global probabilistic tractography to investigate white matter (WM) pathways between 32 male and 35 age- and IQ-matched female adult participants in relation to their verbal abilities. Males showed higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in the left anterior thalamic radiations (ATR), right cingulum-angular bundle, right corticospinal tract, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus-temporal terminations, bilateral uncinate fasciculus (UNC), and corpus callosum-forceps minor when compared with the female group. In contrast, females showed higher radial diffusivity (RD) in the left ATR and left UNC when compared to the male group. The relationship between WM metrics and verbal ability also differed across the two groups: a negative correlation between verbal comprehension index (VCI) and FA as well as axial diffusivity (AD) in left cingulum-cingulate gyrus (CCG) supracallosal bundle in males but not in females; a negative correlation between verbal IQ (VIQ) and FA in the right corticospinal tract (CST), and a positive correlation between VCI and RD in corpus callosum-forceps minor in the female but not in the male group. A direct comparison of these correlation coefficients yielded significant differences between the groups for the VCI-AD and VIQ -FA associations. The findings may reflect sex differences in WM related to language ability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minyoung Jung
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan.,Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| | - Maria Mody
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Toru Fujioka
- Special Needs Education Subcourse, Primary Education Course, School of Education, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| | - Yukari Kimura
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Okazawa
- Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wermke K, Quast A, Hesse V. From melody to words: The role of sex hormones in early language development. Horm Behav 2018; 104:206-215. [PMID: 29573996 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Contribution to Special Issue on Fast effects of steroids. Human infants are the most proficient of the few vocal learner species. Sharing similar principles in terms of the generation and modification of complex sounds, cross-vocal learner comparisons are a suitable strategy when it comes to better understanding the evolution and mechanisms of auditory-vocal learning in human infants. This approach will also help us to understand sex differences in relation to vocal development towards language, the underlying brain mechanisms thereof and sex-specific hormonal effects. Although we are still far from being capable of discovering the "fast effects of steroids" in human infants, we have identified that peripheral hormones (blood serum) are important regulators of vocal behaviour towards language during a transitory hormone surge ("mini-puberty") that is comparable in its extent to puberty. This new area of research in human infants provides a promising opportunity to not only better understand early language acquisition from an ontogenetic and phylogenetic perspective, but to also identify reliable clinical risk-markers in infants for the development of later language disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Wermke
- Center for Prespeech Development & Developmental Disorders, Department of Orthodontics University Hospital of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Anja Quast
- Center for Prespeech Development & Developmental Disorders, Department of Orthodontics University Hospital of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Volker Hesse
- Institute for Experimental Paediatric Endocrinology, Charité-University-Medicine Berlin, 13533 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
De Barbieri Z, Fernández MA, Newbury DF, Villanueva P. Family aggregation of language impairment in an isolated Chilean population from Robinson Crusoe Island. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2018; 53:643-655. [PMID: 29575355 DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been reported that the inhabitants of the Chilean Robinson Crusoe Island have an increased frequency of specific language impairment (SLI) or developmental language disorder (DLD). AIMS To explore the familial aggregation of DLD in this community. METHODS & PROCEDURES We assessed the frequency of DLD amongst colonial children between the ages of 3 and 8;11 years (50 individuals from 45 nuclear families). Familial aggregation rates of language disorder were calculated by assessing all available first-degree relatives (n = 107, 77 parents, 25 siblings, five half-siblings) of the probands. OUTCOMES & RESULTS We found that 71% of the child population performed significantly below expected in measures of phonological production or expressive and receptive morphology. The majority of these children presented with severe expressive and/or receptive language difficulties. One-quarter of language-disordered probands primarily had phonological difficulties. Family members of affected probands experienced a higher risk of language disorder than those of typically developing probands. This increased risk was apparent regardless of non-verbal IQ. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS The study substantiates the existence of a familial form of speech and language disorder on Robinson Crusoe Island. Furthermore, we find that the familiarity is stable regardless of non-verbal IQ, supporting the recent movement to reduce the importance of non-verbal IQ criterion in DLD diagnoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zulema De Barbieri
- Department of Speech language and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Angélica Fernández
- Department of Speech language and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Dianne F Newbury
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Pía Villanueva
- Department of Speech language and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Human Genetics Division, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bartha-Doering L, Regele S, Deuster D, Seidl R, Bogdanova N, Röpke A, Wieacker P, Am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen A. Intrafamilial phenotypic variability of Specific Language Impairment. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2016; 159:102-108. [PMID: 27388785 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated language functions in 32 members of a four generation family with several members affected by Specific Language Impairment with an extensive language test battery in order to determine the prevalence, overlap, and homogeneity of linguistic deficits within one pedigree. In sum, one fourth of all family members tested fulfilled the criteria of Specific Language Impairment. Despite of some similarities in language abilities, different combinations of language deficits were observed, and individual language profiles varied substantially. Thus, though there is a high prevalence of language deficits in this family which raises the likelihood of a genetic origin of these deficits, and though all affected study participants displayed selective linguistic deficits with normal non-verbal functioning, language testing showed considerable variance in overlap and homogeneity of linguistic deficits. Thus, even in one genetic population, an underlying linguistic disorder manifests itself in different language abilities to a variant degree.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bartha-Doering
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sabrina Regele
- Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital of Muenster, Kardinal-von-Galen Ring 10, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Dirk Deuster
- Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital of Muenster, Kardinal-von-Galen Ring 10, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Rainer Seidl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Nadja Bogdanova
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Muenster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Albrecht Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Muenster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Peter Wieacker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Muenster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Antoinette Am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen
- Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital of Muenster, Kardinal-von-Galen Ring 10, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nudel R, Simpson NH, Baird G, O'Hare A, Conti-Ramsden G, Bolton PF, Hennessy ER, Ring SM, Davey Smith G, Francks C, Paracchini S, Monaco AP, Fisher SE, Newbury DF. Genome-wide association analyses of child genotype effects and parent-of-origin effects in specific language impairment. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2014; 13:418-29. [PMID: 24571439 PMCID: PMC4114547 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Specific language impairment (SLI) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects linguistic abilities when development is otherwise normal. We report the results of a genome-wide association study of SLI which included parent-of-origin effects and child genotype effects and used 278 families of language-impaired children. The child genotype effects analysis did not identify significant associations. We found genome-wide significant paternal parent-of-origin effects on chromosome 14q12 (P = 3.74 × 10−8) and suggestive maternal parent-of-origin effects on chromosome 5p13 (P = 1.16 × 10−7). A subsequent targeted association of six single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 5 in 313 language-impaired individuals and their mothers from the ALSPAC cohort replicated the maternal effects, albeit in the opposite direction (P = 0.001); as fathers’ genotypes were not available in the ALSPAC study, the replication analysis did not include paternal parent-of-origin effects. The paternally-associated SNP on chromosome 14 yields a non-synonymous coding change within the NOP9 gene. This gene encodes an RNA-binding protein that has been reported to be significantly dysregulated in individuals with schizophrenia. The region of maternal association on chromosome 5 falls between the PTGER4 and DAB2 genes, in a region previously implicated in autism and ADHD. The top SNP in this association locus is a potential expression QTL of ARHGEF19 (also called WGEF) on chromosome 1. Members of this protein family have been implicated in intellectual disability. In summary, this study implicates parent-of-origin effects in language impairment, and adds an interesting new dimension to the emerging picture of shared genetic etiology across various neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Nudel
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luyster RJ, Seery A, Talbott MR, Tager-Flusberg H. Identifying Early-Risk Markers and Developmental Trajectories for Language Impairment in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 17:151-9. [PMID: 23362034 DOI: 10.1002/ddrr.1109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Seery
- Department of Psychology; Boston University; Boston; Massachusetts
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Raskind WH, Peter B, Richards T, Eckert MM, Berninger VW. The genetics of reading disabilities: from phenotypes to candidate genes. Front Psychol 2013; 3:601. [PMID: 23308072 PMCID: PMC3538356 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This article provides an overview of (a) issues in definition and diagnosis of specific reading disabilities at the behavioral level that may occur in different constellations of developmental and phenotypic profiles (patterns); (b) rapidly expanding research on genetic heterogeneity and gene candidates for dyslexia and other reading disabilities; (c) emerging research on gene-brain relationships; and (d) current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms whereby environmental events may alter behavioral expression of genetic variations. A glossary of genetic terms (denoted by bold font) is provided for readers not familiar with the technical terms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy H Raskind
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tramontana GM, Blood IM, Blood GW. Speech-language pathologists' knowledge of genetics: perceived confidence, attitudes, knowledge acquisition and practice-based variables. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2013; 46:100-110. [PMID: 22999227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the general knowledge bases demonstrated by school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the area of genetics, (b) the confidence levels of SLPs in providing services to children and their families with genetic disorders/syndromes, (c) the attitudes of SLPs regarding genetics and communication disorders, (d) the primary sources used by SLPs to learn about genetic disorders/syndromes, and (e) the association between general knowledge, confidence, attitudes, the number of years of experience working as an SLP, and the number of children currently provided services with genetic disorders/syndromes on SLPs' caseloads. Survey data from a nationwide sample of 533 SLPs was analyzed. Results showed SLPs earned a median knowledge score about genetics of 66% correct responses. Their mean confidence and attitude ratings were in the "unsure" categories while they reported they learned about genetics from three main sources, (a) self-study via web and internet-based searches, (b) on-the-job training and (c) popular press magazines and newspapers. Analyses revealed that Confidence summary scores, Attitude Summary scores, the number of children with genetic disorders/syndromes on SLPs' caseloads are positively associated with the ratings of participants with the highest Knowledge scores. LEARNING OUTCOMES Readers will be able to (a) explain the important links between developmental and communication disabilities and genetics, (b) describe the associations between knowledge about genetics and confidence, attitudes, and the number of children with genetic disorders/syndromes on their caseloads, and (c) outline the clinical and theoretical implications of the results from this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Michael Tramontana
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kalnak N, Peyrard-Janvid M, Sahlén B, Forssberg H. Family history interview of a broad phenotype in specific language impairment and matched controls. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2012; 11:921-7. [PMID: 22928858 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2012.00841.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 08/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to study a broader phenotype of language-related diagnoses and problems in three generations of relatives of children with specific language impairment (SLI). Our study is based on a family history interview of the parents of 59 children with SLI and of 100 matched control children, exploring the prevalence of problems related to language, reading, attention, school achievement and social communication as well as diagnoses such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia, mental retardation, cleft palate and stuttering. The results show a spectrum of language-related problems in families of SLI children. In all three generations of SLI relatives, we found significantly higher prevalence rates of language, literacy and social communication problems. The risk of one or both parents having language-related diagnoses or problems was approximately six times higher for the children with SLI (85%) than for the control children (13%) (odds ratio = 37.2). We did not find a significantly higher prevalence of the diagnoses ADHD, autism or Asperger syndrome in the relatives of the children with SLI. However, significantly more parents of the children with SLI had problems with attention/hyperactivity when compared with the parents of controls. Our findings suggest common underlying mechanisms for problems with language, literacy and social communication, and possibly also for attention/hyperactivity symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Kalnak
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital
| | - M Peyrard-Janvid
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B Sahlén
- Department of Logopedics, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - H Forssberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Newbury DF, Monaco AP. Genetic advances in the study of speech and language disorders. Neuron 2010; 68:309-20. [PMID: 20955937 PMCID: PMC2977079 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Developmental speech and language disorders cover a wide range of childhood conditions with overlapping but heterogeneous phenotypes and underlying etiologies. This characteristic heterogeneity hinders accurate diagnosis, can complicate treatment strategies, and causes difficulties in the identification of causal factors. Nonetheless, over the last decade, genetic variants have been identified that may predispose certain individuals to different aspects of speech and language difficulties. In this review, we summarize advances in the genetic investigation of stuttering, speech-sound disorder (SSD), specific language impairment (SLI), and developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD). We discuss how the identification and study of specific genes and pathways, including FOXP2, CNTNAP2, ATP2C2, CMIP, and lysosomal enzymes, may advance our understanding of the etiology of speech and language disorders and enable us to better understand the relationships between the different forms of impairment across the spectrum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D F Newbury
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Headington, Oxford, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Whitehouse AJO. Is there a sex ratio difference in the familial aggregation of specific language impairment? A meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2010; 53:1015-1025. [PMID: 20605945 DOI: 10.1044/1092-4388(2009/09-0078)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Specific language impairment (SLI) is known to aggregate in families. Debate exists on whether the male sex presents an additional risk for SLI. This meta-analysis examined whether there is a sex ratio difference in the risk for impairment among family members of an SLI proband and whether this is mediated by assessment method (direct assessment via psychometric tests vs. indirect assessment via questionnaire/interview) or relative type (sibling vs. parent). METHOD Twelve studies met inclusion criteria, including 11 parent and 9 sibling samples. Risk ratios, indicating relative risk for language difficulties for males versus females, were calculated as a function of assessment method and relative type. RESULTS Direct assessments identified a male predominance of language impairment, with a pooled risk ratio of 1.73 for siblings (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-2.52) and 1.54 for parents (95% CI: 1.14-2.07). No sex differences were observed for studies using indirect testing methods, with mean risk ratios of 1.12 (0.85-1.48) and 1.17 (0.92-1.49) for sibling and parent samples, respectively. CONCLUSION A predominance of affected males among family members is observed when using direct assessments only. This finding is interpreted with reference to the strengths and weaknesses of different assessment methodologies and what sex differences may indicate about the biological mechanisms underlying the SLI phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, 100 Roberts Road, Subiaco 6008, Western Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Whitehouse AJO, Bishop DVM. Cerebral dominance for language function in adults with specific language impairment or autism. Brain 2008; 131:3193-200. [PMID: 18953053 PMCID: PMC2639206 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awn266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2008] [Revised: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/19/2008] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A link between developmental language disorders and atypical cerebral lateralization has been postulated since the 1920s, but evidence has been indirect and inconsistent. The current study investigated this proposal using functional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (fTCD), which assesses blood flow through the middle cerebral arteries serving the left and right cerebral hemispheres. A group of young adults with specific language impairment (SLI; n = 11) were recruited along with three comparison groups: (i) adults with a history of childhood SLI, but who did not meet criteria for language impairment in adulthood (SLI-history; n = 9); (ii) adults with an autism spectrum disorder and a comorbid language impairment (ASD; n = 11) and (iii) adults with no history of developmental disorder (typical; n = 11). There was no difference between the chronological age of the four groups, and the SLI and typical groups were individually matched on gender and handedness. During fTCD measurement, participants were asked to silently generate words starting with a given letter and then later required to verbalize these. All of the participants in the SLI-history group and the majority of participants in the ASD (81.8%) and typical (90.9%) groups had greater activation in the left compared to the right middle cerebral arteries, indicating left hemisphere dominance. In contrast, the majority of participants in the SLI groups had language function lateralized to the right hemisphere (54.5%) or dispersed bilaterally (27.3%). These findings suggest that atypical cerebral dominance is not implicated in all cases of poor language development (i.e. ASD and SLI-history groups), but may act as a biological marker of persisting SLI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|