About Us Portfolio Press Careers Sitemap Advertise Contact Us Make this your Homepage

Custom Search

Register

Sign In

Sign In Using Facebook

Home » Genetics & Stem Cells News

Scientists Identify Gene Mutation Behind Low Grades Among Students

by Rajashri on September 27, 2009 at 1:44 PM Genetics & Stem Cells News

Researchers have revealed that they have successfully identified a gene that affects memory and IQ among students.

Related Links

Chun-Yen Chang, an education researcher at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, says that teens with a particular mutation in the COMT gene have been found to score significantly lower on a national placement exam, compared with students who had other versions of the gene.

Each year, a high-stakes exam in Taiwan determines which of the students taking it will go to a prestigious public senior high school or more middling private and vocational schools.

About 310,000 16- and 17-year-olds sit the exam every year.

Chang highlights the fact that pupils are under extreme pressure to perform well in the test, and many employ tutors and practise for years leading up to the exam.

As part of the current study, Chang's team compared the scores of 779 students - 314 boys and 465 girls - from four schools with each student's COMT genotype.

The researcher says that COMT makes an enzyme that recycles a neurotransmitter called dopamine, and that its different versions have been linked to differences in cognitive function.

Chang points out that people with two copies of the Met-158 mutation tend to have a better working memory and higher verbal IQs than those with one or two copies of the Val-158 mutation.

Thus, it appeared probable that pupils having two copies of Met-158 would be more likely to ace the test, said the researcher.

Page 1

Page 1 | 2

Next

Republican Senator Targeting Orthopedic Over Conflict Of Interest

Researchers Develop Test to Predict Chances of Miscarriage

More News on: DNA Finger Printing, Von Recklinghausen's Disease

Comment & Contribute

Be the first to comment!
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters
	Notify me when reply is posted I agree to the terms and conditions
Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished. Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Medwonders Health Network

Support Groups Members Discussions

Total Members - 54911
Support Groups - 445

Health News Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Latest News Most Popular Most Commented

Now, a Mobile Euthanasia Team

Survey: Small Number of Physicians Admit Lying to Their Patients

Norovirus was the Cause of Cheerleader Illness, Say Lab Tests

Turmeric May Help Slow Prostate Tumor Growth

Autism Risk in Offspring Influenced by Age of Both Mom and Dad

News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :

News Quick Links

	News Central			Health Watch
	Latest Health News			Health In Focus
	News Category (500+)			Breaking Health News
	Popular News			Celebrating Life
	Health News and Press Release			Medindia - Exclusive
	News Photo Gallery			India Special
	News Video Gallery			Lifestyle and Wellness
	News From Other Resources

News Categories:


»	Bill on Insurance Premium for Farmers Approved by Poland Cabinet

»	Co-contribution On The Rise For Group Insurance

»	Obama Takes Mid-way Out of Contraception Health Insurance Row

»	New Health Insurance Scheme for Underprivileged Sikhs in Delhi

»	Mobile Apps Will Help Patients Stay Healthy, Lower Insurance Costs
More Insurance News

Genetics & Stem Cells Related News
»	Genetics may be Able to Guide Treatment for Tuberculosis	»	Fathers Pass on Heart Disease Risk to Sons Via Genetic Variation on the Y Chromosome
»	Stem Cell Trial for Hearing Loss	»	Traces To Common Birth Defect in Gene Expression Data, Noticed by MassGeneral, Jackson Researchers
»	Reason for the Survival of Bad Immunity Genes	»	Eradicating of Genetic Diseases Perhaps Via 'Designer' Babies of 3 Parents
»	More Accurate Diagnosis of Genetic Mutations Possible Via New Virtual Tool	»	Scientists Identify Gene Related to Fat Preferences in Humans

Read More >>

Accident and Trauma Care Support Group	Acupuncture Support Group	Albinism / Hypopigmentation / Albinos Support Group
Alcohol abuse / Alcohol dependence / Alcoholism Support Group	Aromatherapy Support Group	Avian Influenza / Bird Flu Support Group
Ayurveda Support Group	Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Support Group	Birth Defects - Metabolic Defects Support Group

Scientists Identify Gene Mutation Behind Low Grades Among Students

Medwonders Health Network

Genetics & Stem Cells Related News

Consumers

Medical Professionals

Medical Students

Directories