FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.

Rare mutations of the FOXP2 transcription factor gene cause a monogenic syndrome characterized by impaired speech development and linguistic deficits. Recent genomic investigations indicate that its downstream neural targets make broader impacts on common language impairments, bridging clinically di...

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Main Authors: Fisher, S, Scharff, C
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2009
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author Fisher, S
Scharff, C
author_facet Fisher, S
Scharff, C
author_sort Fisher, S
collection OXFORD
description Rare mutations of the FOXP2 transcription factor gene cause a monogenic syndrome characterized by impaired speech development and linguistic deficits. Recent genomic investigations indicate that its downstream neural targets make broader impacts on common language impairments, bridging clinically distinct disorders. Moreover, the striking conservation of both FoxP2 sequence and neural expression in different vertebrates facilitates the use of animal models to study ancestral pathways that have been recruited towards human speech and language. Intriguingly, reduced FoxP2 dosage yields abnormal synaptic plasticity and impaired motor-skill learning in mice, and disrupts vocal learning in songbirds. Converging data indicate that Foxp2 is important for modulating the plasticity of relevant neural circuits. This body of research represents the first functional genetic forays into neural mechanisms contributing to human spoken language.
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spelling oxford-uuid:76d9d317-1b24-4d45-ba78-2379a22acd5d2022-03-26T20:19:04ZFOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:76d9d317-1b24-4d45-ba78-2379a22acd5dEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2009Fisher, SScharff, CRare mutations of the FOXP2 transcription factor gene cause a monogenic syndrome characterized by impaired speech development and linguistic deficits. Recent genomic investigations indicate that its downstream neural targets make broader impacts on common language impairments, bridging clinically distinct disorders. Moreover, the striking conservation of both FoxP2 sequence and neural expression in different vertebrates facilitates the use of animal models to study ancestral pathways that have been recruited towards human speech and language. Intriguingly, reduced FoxP2 dosage yields abnormal synaptic plasticity and impaired motor-skill learning in mice, and disrupts vocal learning in songbirds. Converging data indicate that Foxp2 is important for modulating the plasticity of relevant neural circuits. This body of research represents the first functional genetic forays into neural mechanisms contributing to human spoken language.
spellingShingle Fisher, S
Scharff, C
FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.
title FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.
title_full FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.
title_fullStr FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.
title_full_unstemmed FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.
title_short FOXP2 as a molecular window into speech and language.
title_sort foxp2 as a molecular window into speech and language
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