FOXP2 and language alterations in psychiatric pathology

Abstract

Background. From the first reports of the linguist Noam Chomsky it has become clear that the development of language has an important genetic component. Several reports in families have shown the relationship between language disorders and genetic polymorphisms. The FOXP2 gene has been a fundamental piece for the understanding of language development. This gene codes for a transcription factor containing a forkhead domain of DNA binding and participates in the regulation of the expression of a large number of genes involved in the embryonic development of fundamental neuronal structures needed for the development of speech and language. Objective. To present an updated view of the relationship between FOXP2 and language alterations in psychiatric pathology. Method. Narrative review of information reported in databases on the recent advances supporting genetic participation in language disorders of psychiatric illness. Results. Update of content related to FOXP2 and its participation in language alterations in psychiatric diseases. Discussion and conclusion. Advances in the genetic study of language disorders in psychiatric pathology open up new avenues of investigation that allow us to explore how language emerged and how it evolved, as well as to carry out comparative studies on the structure and functioning of genes to approach the understanding of this complex characteristic that makes us human.