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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.11.01.564908

The shared genetic architecture and evolution of human language and musical rhythm

Alagoez, G.·Eising, E.·Mekki, Y.·Bignardi, G.·Fontanillas, P.·23andMe Research Team,·Nivard, M. G.·Luciano, M.·Cox, N. J.·Fisher, S. E.·Gordon, R. L.
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Abstract

Rhythm and language-related traits are phenotypically correlated, but their genetic overlap is largely unknown. Here, we leveraged two large-scale genome-wide association studies performed to shed light on the shared genetics of rhythm (N=606,825) and dyslexia (N=1,138,870). Our results reveal an intricate shared genetic and neurobiological architecture, and lay groundwork for resolving longstanding debates about the potential co-evolution of human language and musical traits.

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Alagoez, G., Eising, E., Mekki, Y., Bignardi, G., Fontanillas, P., 23andMe Research Team,, Nivard, M. G., Luciano, M., Cox, N. J., Fisher, S. E., Gordon, R. L.. 2023-11-02. The shared genetic architecture and evolution of human language and musical rhythm. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.11.01.564908

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