NEUROGENETICS
Silvia Paracchini Research GroupThe Neurogenetics group at the University of St Andrews is directed by Prof Silvia Paracchini. We are studying the genetic basis of complex cognitive and behavioural phenotypes. In particular we focus on the biology of dyslexia, a specific difficulty in learning to read which is caused in large part by genetic factors. We are also interested in cognitive traits related to dyslexia such as general reading and language abilities.
More recently we have become interested in handedness and in a complex link between dyslexia and laterality. We are using large scale screening involving genome-wide and functional genomics approaches to identify candidate genes or loci underlying these phenotypes. We work with collaborators based in different countries and with expertise in different disciplines.
Recent news
New paper!
Check out Silvia's latest review on the genetics of handedness https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/13/10/1792
New paper
New paper led by Judith reporting the first GWAS for hearing abilities in children is now out in Neuropsychiatric Genetics!!! Find out more at this link .
New preprint!
The largest genetic study conducted to day in over a million of study participants is out as preprint on MedRxiv. The analysis was led by Dr Michelle Luciano at the University of Edinburgh and involved many research groups from the GenLang Consortium, including our...
Our work in the news
In occasion of International Left Handers Day our work was covered in this article published in Oggi Scienza
SSSR2021
Silvia attended the SSSR2021 (Society for Scientific Study of Reading) conference where she gave a talk and took part to a live Q&A session in a symposium on dyslexia and co-morbid disorders. More details of the conference can be found here.