NIH Learning Disabilities Center on Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder


NE-Munroe-Meyer Institute of Genetics & Rehabilitation, UCEDD/LEND
Program Type LEND,UCEDD Fiscal Year 2016
Contact Shelley Smith, Ph.D.
Email [email protected]    
Phone 402-559-5314    
Project Description
This is an NIH Learning Disabilities Center which focuses on the causes of Reading Disability (Dyslexia) as well as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is a large twin study which covers the skills that are most important in the development of reading and which can be targeted for remediation. We also examine the comorbidity of Reading Disability with ADHD to determine if there are behavioral and genetic differences. In the molecular genetics component, we are also identifying genes for Next Generation sequencing of the coding regions as well as regulatory regions to identify causal mutations, which will be tested for verification in an independent population. Since our study population is largely Caucasian, we will also be able to determine if the mutations identified in this population also affect African American and Hispanic children with reading disability. This will allow us to identify genes with the greatest contribution to the development of reading disorders.