Genetic Biomarkers Associated with Child Language Development in Taiwan

The interaction between gene and environment (G×E) can be a very complicated process that influences child development. The Kids in Taiwan: National Longitudinal Study of Child Development & Care (KIT), however, focuses more on the issues regarding the interaction of child behavior and environment. Despite the existence of Taiwan Biobank, a biobank that contains nearly 10,000 bio-data for adults, a biobank for children in Taiwan is needed. Therefore, this study may integrate KIT data and related genetic biomarkers. As a pilot study of child development biomarkers, this study investigates genes related to child language development and developmental language disorder (DLD). The aims of the study include (1) identifying genes associated with child language development and DLD in Taiwan (2) comparing the differences and similarities between genetic biomarkers of language development and DLD for children in Taiwan and children from other countries and (3) employing precision medicine as the method for genetic screening or test. The study will be completed in three phases over three years and will enroll a total of 596 children aged 2-12. In the first phase, we will recruit 500 children for microarray, including 100 children with typical development and 400 children with DLD. Then, their genetic data will be compared with genetic data of Chang Gung Hospital and the National Center for Genome Medicine, expect to preliminary find genes associated with child language development. At the same time, 20 children with severe DLD or have family history of DLD will be selected as a pilot study, using whole-exome sequencing to find other genes associated with children's language development. In the second phase, select 50-60 children with DLD, based on the results of the pilot study, using whole-exome sequencing to identify the genomic hotspots of language development for children in Taiwan. In the third phase, we will establish a gene panel according to the genes identified in the previous two stages and recruit 96 children with DLD to test the gene panel prospectively. The long-term goal of this study is to establish a pioneer study for children biobank data and to provide a genetic screen for language development and DLD in Taiwan, provide reference for early childhood prevention and intervention, and further provide a reference to the government's policy.

Project ID:PF10907-1885
External Project ID:MOST109-2410-H182-017-SSS