Genetics meets envir onment: Twin studies and polygenic scores in learning and neurodivers ity
Elsje van Bergen’s research explores the intricate i nterplay between nature and nurture in shaping individual differences in learning abilities. In her talk, she will explain heritability a nd genetically-informed studies. She challenges simplistic causal lin ks between home factors (like the number of books) and outcomes such as dyslexia. Her research shows children with dyslexia are also at higher ris k for dyscalculia and ADHD, not because reading difficulties cause th ese, but due to shared genetic risks. She concludes by showing why ed ucational skills and ADHD tend to run in families, using big data on parents and children, employing polygenic scores and pedigree data.
DESCRIPTION: Genetics meets environment: Twin studies and polygenic sc ores in learning and neurodiversity Elsje van Bergen’s research exp lores the intricate interplay between nature and nurture in shaping i ndividual differences in learning abilities. In her talk, she will explain heritability and genetically-informed studies. She challenges simplistic causal links between home factors (like the number of book s) and outcomes such as dyslexia. Her research shows children with dyslexia a re also at higher risk for dyscalculia and ADHD, not because reading difficulties cause these, but due to shared genetic risks. She conclu des by showing why educational skills and ADHD tend to run in familie s, using big data on parents and children, employing polygenic score s and pedigree data. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR