Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands have discovered a genetic link between left-handedness and neurodevelopmental disorders. The study, published in the journal Nature on April 2, 2024, opens new perspectives for understanding these disorders.
- A study of more than 350,000 people reveals a genetic link between being left-handed and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Left-handed people are more likely to have disorders such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and ADHD than right-handed people.
- This discovery opens the way to new research to understand the mechanisms underlying this link and to improve the diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Professor Chris McManus’ team analyzed genetic and medical data from more than 350,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large British cohort study that began in 2007. The researchers looked at the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and ADHD, in left- and right-handed people.
Surprising results
THE study results reveal a significant association between being left-handed and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Left-handers are 20% more likely to have dyslexia, 30% more likely to have dyspraxia, and 40% more likely to have autism or ADHD than right-handers.
Avenues for new research on neurodevelopmental disorders
This important discovery opens the way to new research to understand the mechanisms underlying this link between laterality and neurodevelopmental disorders. The researchers hypothesize that genetic variations linked to brain lateralization could also influence brain development and increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Implications for diagnosis and management
These results could have important implications for the diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, taking laterality into account could help identify children at risk earlier and offer them appropriate interventions.
In summary, this study highlights an important genetic link between left-handedness and neurodevelopmental disorders. This discovery opens new perspectives for the understanding of these disorders and could have implications for the diagnosis and management of affected children.