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

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.

Musical rhythm abilities and risk for developmental speech-language problems and disorders: epidemiological and polygenic associations

“…R 2 = 0.019, model p < .0001), which is the same effect size as when not controlling for word reading PGSs. Genetic correlations between word reading and beat synchronization abilities, based on the same GWASs used here, were recently reported to be rG = 0.18, SE = 0.04, p = 1.84E-05 42 .…”

“…genetic pleiotropy) underlies a portion of the overlap between musicality traits (including rhythm abilities) and communication traits (including, speech, language, and reading abilities) 34 . In support of the MAPLE framework, positive genetic correlations between musical rhythm abilities and language/reading-related abilities; and negative genetic correlations between rhythm abilities and dyslexia, have been recently shown using group-level genomic results based on GWASs of rhythm abilities, language/reading abilities, and dyslexia 42 .…”

“…For example, the MAPLE framework highlights the role of potentially mediating neural endophenotypes involving brain development, structure, and function; in the context of environmental pressures playing out across the lifespan 34 . Indeed, emerging genetic findings show that a subset of genomic loci associated with both musical rhythm impairment and dyslexia are involved in brain-cell-type specific gene regulation 42 . The same study also pinpointed a particular genomic locus jointly associated with individual differences in rhythm, dyslexia, and white matter connectivity 42 .…”

“…Indeed, emerging genetic findings show that a subset of genomic loci associated with both musical rhythm impairment and dyslexia are involved in brain-cell-type specific gene regulation 42 . The same study also pinpointed a particular genomic locus jointly associated with individual differences in rhythm, dyslexia, and white matter connectivity 42 . As our understanding of particular neural systems influenced by shared genetic architecture between musical rhythm impairments and communication-related problems and disorders is still in its infancy, shared neurobiological underpinnings are a potential source of shared variance at the behavioral level.…”

Distinct genetic pathways to music enjoyment

“…The finding implies that genetic variation between people may be used to dissect the evolutionary trajectories of different aspects of human musicality. Along these lines, a further question of interest becomes whether genetic variants, which are more specifically associated with music enjoyment, are also enriched in genomic regions of evolutionary interest 52,53 .…”