One study, involving University of Alabama-Birmingham biostatistician Grier Page, identified the gene DCDC2 as being linked to the development of dyslexia.

Page's discovery, along with others cited by Science magazine, suggests genetic miscues that occur in the womb alter the brain in a way that increases an individual's risk for developing one of the disorders later in life.

"This is novel insight into how these disorders arise," Page said. Such findings may lead to early identification and intervention programs for children at genetic risk for such disorders, Science said.