Human ROBO1 regulates interaural interaction in auditory pathways

J Neurosci. 2012 Jan 18;32(3):966-71. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4007-11.2012.

Abstract

In rodents, the Robo1 gene regulates midline crossing of major nerve tracts, a fundamental property of the mammalian CNS. However, the neurodevelopmental function of the human ROBO1 gene remains unknown, apart from a suggested role in dyslexia. We therefore studied axonal crossing with a functional approach, based on magnetoencephalography, in 10 dyslexic individuals who all share the same rare, weakly expressing haplotype of the ROBO1 gene. Auditory-cortex responses were recorded separately to left- and right-ear sounds that were amplitude modulated at different frequencies. We found impaired interaural interaction that depended on the ROBO1 in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicate that normal crossing of the auditory pathways requires an adequate ROBO1 expression level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / methods
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Auditory Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Auditory Pathways / physiopathology*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Dyslexia* / genetics
  • Dyslexia* / pathology
  • Dyslexia* / physiopathology
  • Ear / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory / genetics*
  • Family Health
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Reaction Time / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics*
  • Roundabout Proteins
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic