From speech to gene: The KE family and the FOXP2

Dr. Faraneh Vargha-Khadem, professor of developmental cognitive neuroscience and head, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, as well as consultant in neuropsychology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. The turn of this century marks the discovery of the first gene associated with the unique human ability of speech and language. This discovery, proving that our ability to speak lies in our genes, was made possible through a series of neuropsychological, neuroimaging and genetic investigations of the large three-generational KE family, half of whose members are affected with a speech and language disorder. This lecture tells the story of how the gene, called FOXP2, was discovered, the brain circuitry that it supports, and some of the evidence regarding how and when it evolved. The lecture will also trace the implications of this particular aspect of our evolution for the development of human culture.