Dataset Information

Ultra-rare disruptive and damaging mutations influence educational attainment in the general population.

ABSTRACT: Disruptive, damaging ultra-rare variants in highly constrained genes are enriched in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. In the general population, this class of variants was associated with a decrease in years of education (YOE). This effect was stronger among highly brain-expressed genes and explained more YOE variance than pathogenic copy number variation but less than common variants. Disruptive, damaging ultra-rare variants in highly constrained genes influence the determinants of YOE in the general population.

SUBMITTER: Ganna A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5127781 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ultra-rare disruptive and damaging mutations influence educational attainment in the general population.

Ganna Andrea A Genovese Giulio G Howrigan Daniel P DP Byrnes Andrea A Kurki Mitja M Zekavat Seyedeh M SM Whelan Christopher W CW Kals Mart M Nivard Michel G MG Bloemendal Alex A Bloom Jonathan M JM Goldstein Jacqueline I JI Poterba Timothy T Seed Cotton C Handsaker Robert E RE Natarajan Pradeep P Mägi Reedik R Gage Diane D Robinson Elise B EB Metspalu Andres A Salomaa Veikko V Suvisaari Jaana J Purcell Shaun M SM Sklar Pamela P Kathiresan Sekar S Daly Mark J MJ McCarroll Steven A SA Sullivan Patrick F PF Palotie Aarno A Esko Tõnu T Hultman Christina C Neale Benjamin M BM

Nature neuroscience 20161003 12

Disruptive, damaging ultra-rare variants in highly constrained genes are enriched in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. In the general population, this class of variants was associated with a decrease in years of education (YOE). This effect was stronger among highly brain-expressed genes and explained more YOE variance than pathogenic copy number variation but less than common variants. Disruptive, damaging ultra-rare variants in highly constrained genes influence the determinants o ...[more]

PMID: 27694993

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Project description:The brain is the organ of thought. The word thought is defined as the act of thinking about or considering something: an idea or opinion, or a set of ideas about a particular subject. It implicitly includes the processes of learning. Mental functions, including most if not all aspects of human behavior, such as those related to learning, arise from the activity of the brain. Neural connections that generate and support mental functions are formed throughout life, which enables lifelong learning of new concepts and skills. Both brain formation and function, as well as neural plasticity, are influenced by the activity of a variety of genes and also by epigenetic modifications, which contribute to the regulation of gene expression by adapting it to environmental conditions. In this review, aimed especially at education professionals, I discuss the genetic and epigenetic contributions to mental aspects related to learning processes in terms of heritability. I will argue that, despite most if not all aspects related to learning having a clear genetic background, innate abilities can be enhanced or diminished through educational processes. Thus, the importance of education, in the context of the inheritability of learning processes, will be discussed. The conclusion I draw is that, despite the relatively high genetic heritability shown in most brain processes associated with learning, educational practices are a key contributor to student development, allowing genetically based skills to be enhanced or alternatively diminished. Therefore one of the main goals of education in a changing an uncertain world should be to form adaptable and versatile people who can, and want to, make the most of their capabilities. Thus, knowledge derived from genetics and epigenetics, as well as from neuroscience, should be used to enhance education professionals' understanding of the biological origins of differences in mental capabilities, thereby empowering them with the possibility to adopt more respectful and flexible educational practices to attain the goal mentioned above.

Dataset Information

Ultra-rare disruptive and damaging mutations influence educational attainment in the general population.

Publications

Ultra-rare disruptive and damaging mutations influence educational attainment in the general population.

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