Genetics meets environm ent: Twin studies and polygenic scores in learning and neurodiversity
Elsje van Bergen’s research explores the intricate interpla y between nature and nurture in shaping individual differences in lea rning abilities. In her talk, she will explain heritability and gene tically-informed studies. She challenges simplistic causal links betw een home factors (like the number of books) and outcomes such as dysl exia. Her researc h shows children with dyslexia are also at higher risk for d yscalculia and ADHD, not because reading difficulties cause these, bu t due to shared genetic risks. She concludes by showing why education al skills and ADHD tend to run in families, using big data on parents and children, employing polygenic scores and pedigree data.
DESCRIPTION: Elsje van Bergen’s research explores the intricate inte rplay between nature and nurture in shaping individual 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 books) and outcomes such as dyslexia. Her res earch shows children with dyslexia are also at higher risk f or dyscalculia and ADHD, not because reading difficulties cause these , but due to shared genetic risks. She concludes by showing why educa tional skills and ADHD tend to run in families, using big data on par ents and children, employing polygenic scores and pedigree data. Genetics m eets environment: Twin studies and polygenic scores in learning and n eurodiversity END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR