Variation in the NMDA receptor 2B subunit gene GRIN2B is associated with differential language lateralization

Variations in the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B subunit gene (GRIN2B) have been associated with schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder associated with reduced left-hemispheric language dominance. Here, we investigated, whether different polymorphisms in GRIN2B influence language lateralization and handedness in healthy individuals. In a cohort of 424 genetically unrelated participants we found significant association between the synonymous GRIN2B variation rs1806201 and language lateralization assessed using the dichotic listening task. Individuals carrying the heterozygous CT genotype exhibited more pronounced left-hemispheric language dominance as compared to both homozygous CC and TT individuals. Such an association was not identified for handedness. These findings suggest that variation in NMDA-receptors contributes to the interindividual variability of language lateralization.

► We investigate, whether polymorphisms in GRIN2B influence language lateralization.
► We found an association between rs1806191 and language lateralization.
► Variation in NMDA-receptors contributes to variability in language lateralization.