Аннотация
Abstract Although contextual variables have a considerable impact on linguistic ability, the effect of genetic factors, especially those linked to memory function, remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between genetically determined memory capacity and self-reported foreign language proficiency in 129 children (63 males, 66 females, age 14.2 ± 3.9) and 128 adults (90 males, 38 females, age 29.8 ± 8.2). Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously linked with memory function were used in a polygenic analysis (CAMTA1 rs4908449, CLSTN2 rs6439886, COMT rs4680, CPEB3 rs11186856, SCN1A rs10930201, SNAP25 rs3746544, and WWC1 rs17070145). Self-reported foreign language proficiency was evaluated using a single-item question. Children's level of immersion in foreign languages was divided into three categories: linguistic school, non-linguistic school with extra foreign language courses, and non-linguistic school without additional foreign language courses. We found that genetically predicted memory capacity (i.e., number of memory-increasing alleles) was positively associated with self-reported foreign language proficiency in children (P = 0.0078) adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, verbal IQ, and level of immersion in foreign languages. Further, age (P < 0.0001), level of immersion in foreign languages (P = 0.0035) and verbal IQ (P = 0.0004) were also positively associated with self-reported foreign language proficiency in children. The association between genetically predicted memory capacity and self-reported foreign language proficiency was replicated in adults (P = 0.0158 adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity). In conclusion, foreign language proficiency may partly depend on the presence of a high number of memory-increasing alleles in both children and adults.