Gene for Non-Syndromic Intellectual Disability Identified

Science Daily reported today that mutations in the gene TRAPPC9 may be responsible for nonsyndromic intellectual disabilities (i.e. learning disabilities and mental retardation not associated with Down syndrome, FAS, Fragile X etc.) The finding could explain the origin of 50% of intellectual disability cases worldwide.

Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada isolated the gene through an examination of a large Pakistani and Iranian families with numerous individuals with intellectual disabilities. The researchers intend to pursue research as to exactly how TRAPPC9 is involved in brain function.

You can read the original article here. For more information on intellectual disabilities, check out CeDIR's Kids' Corner Book Nook for a list of books on the subject.