Linguistic Grammar Learning and DRD2-TAQ-IA Polymorphism
Open Access
- 31 May 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLOS ONE
- Vol. 8 (5), e64983
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064983
Abstract
As research into the neurobiology of language has focused primarily on the systems level, fewer studies have examined the link between molecular genetics and normal variations in language functions. Because the ability to learn a language varies in adults and our genetic codes also vary, research linking the two provides a unique window into the molecular neurobiology of language. We consider a candidate association between the dopamine receptor D2 gene (DRD2) and linguistic grammar learning. DRD2-TAQ-IA polymorphism (rs1800497) is associated with dopamine receptor D2 distribution and dopamine impact in the human striatum, such that A1 allele carriers show reduction in D2 receptor binding relative to carriers who are homozygous for the A2 allele. The individual differences in grammatical rule learning that are particularly prevalent in adulthood are also associated with striatal function and its role in domain-general procedural memory. Therefore, we reasoned that procedurally-based grammar learning could be associated with DRD2-TAQ-IA polymorphism. Here, English-speaking adults learned artificial concatenative and analogical grammars, which have been respectively associated with procedural and declarative memory. Language learning capabilities were tested while learners’ neural hemodynamic responses were simultaneously measured by fMRI. Behavioral learning and brain activation data were subsequently compared with the learners’ DRD2 (rs1800497) genotype. Learners who were homozygous for the A2 allele were better at concatenative (but not analogical) grammar learning and had higher striatal responses relative to those who have at least one A1 allele. These results provide preliminary evidence for the neurogenetic basis of normal variations in linguistic grammar learning and its link to domain-general functions.Keywords
This publication has 51 references indexed in Scilit:
- CNTNAP2variants affect early language development in the general populationGenes, Brain and Behavior, 2011
- Teacher Quality Moderates the Genetic Effects on Early ReadingScience, 2010
- Prefrontal and striatal dopaminergic genes predict individual differences in exploration and exploitationNature Neuroscience, 2009
- Dopamine DRD2 Polymorphism Alters Reversal Learning and Associated Neural ActivityJournal of Neuroscience, 2009
- Response to Comment on "Genetically Determined Differences in Learning from Errors"Science, 2008
- Polymorphisms in human dopamine D2 receptor gene affect gene expression, splicing, and neuronal activity during working memoryProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2007
- Volume of Left Heschl's Gyrus and Linguistic Pitch LearningCerebral Cortex, 2007
- Linguistic tone is related to the population frequency of the adaptive haplogroups of two brain size genes, ASPM and MicrocephalinProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2007
- The Axon Guidance Receptor Gene ROBO1 Is a Candidate Gene for Developmental DyslexiaPLoS Genetics, 2005
- The Role of Memory in the Tower of London TaskMemory, 1999