A genetic perspective on speech and language development [Invited talk]

Researchers are beginning to uncover the neurogenetic pathways that contribute to our unparalleled capacity for spoken language. Initial clues come from identif ication of genetic risk factors implicated in developmental speech and language disorders. The underlying genetic architecture is complex, involving a range of molecular mechanisms. For example, we have shown that rare protein-coding mutations of the FOXP2 transcription factor cause severe problems with sequencing of speech sounds, while common genetic risk variants of small effect size in genes like CNTNAP2, ATP2C2 and CMIP are associated with typical forms of language impairment. In my talk I will describe how investigations of genes like FOXP2, in humans, animals and cellular models, can unravel the complicated connections between genes, neurons, brain circuits and language. This depends on interdisciplinary research at multiple levels, from determining m olecular interactions and functional roles in neural cell-biology all the way through to effects on brain structure and activit