Project description
A closer look at the genetics of reading behaviour
The EU-funded Reading BIG project is attempting to elucidate the genetic background of reading behaviour using anatomical brain imaging markers related to reading ability. The study will identify small genetic effects contributing to the relevant biological pathways of reading behaviour. Researchers will try to elucidate whether genetic influence on reading performance is mediated via brain morphology. To that end, they will utilise behavioural, brain-imaging and genome-wide data to gain a deeper understanding of the link between genes and reading abilities. Moreover, they will use genes as instruments to draw links and correlations between brain markers and reading behaviour.
Objective
Our ability to read is a must to navigate our current society, and despite the large variability in skill within the general population, it is often taken for granted. This project aims to help elucidate the mechanisms from genes to reading behaviour, by identifying anatomical brain imaging markers correlated to reading ability using an automated pipeline that can be used in the context of large imaging genetic datasets. We need to systematically characterise how reading expertise is reflected in the brain in order to be able to ask questions about its genetics underpinnings in large datasets without behavioural reading measures. We need to identify small genetic effects that additively contribute to the ready-to-read brain because it will pinpoint to relevant biological pathways that are the substrate of reading ability. We need to understand the extend to which the same genetic markers influence reading and its brain correlates, and whether genetic influences on reading performance are mediated through brain morphology, to help discern between different risk profiles for reading difficulties.
BIG READING integrates behavioural, brain imaging and genome-wide data in automated scalable pipelines to gain a deeper understanding of the link between genes and reading behaviour. I will analyse structural imaging markers correlated to reading-related traits in deeply phenotyped datasets of the general population to systematically characterise how reading expertise is reflected in the brain. I will perform heritability and genome-wide association scans in datasets with tens of thousands of participants to identify small genetic effects that additively contribute to the ready-to-read brain. I will perform genetic overlap analyses to define the extend of shared influence of genes on reading and its brain correlates and use genes as instruments to make causal inferences between brain markers and reading ability. This project will provide a foundation for future studies on how
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20009 San Sebastian
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.