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Dyslexia is characterized by difficulty reading and spelling.

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About four percent of the German population suffers from the learning disability known as dyslexia, in which letters and words become twisted in the minds of those affected. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) are working to identify the genes that cause this condition in the hopes of developing better treatments.

According to IZI scientist Arndt Wilcke, “Dyslexia is not a matter of low intelligence. It is mainly caused genetically, as twin-studies have shown.” For decades generations of schoolchildren that struggled with the condition battled perceptions that they were somehow deficient intellectually.

Dyslexia is generally discovered by teachers when children begin reading between the ages of 6 and 8. By this time, however, speech development skills have already been well developed, limiting treatment options.

Scientists and physicians believe that if the condition were discovered sooner, before children attended school, they could have the opportunity to begin early remedial therapy which would help them as they begin reading and writing.

IZI scientists are working to discover the exact genes that cause dyslexia, in the hopes of creating a genetic test to determine if a child has the disease. The researchers believe that the responsible genes “misroute” the migration of nerve cells during embryonic development.

Wilcke predicts that in around five year’s time the IZI’s research will lead to a genetic test that will aid in treatment.

Source: Young Germany