"Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Left-Handedness"

A new study sheds light on a genetic component of left-handedness, identifying rare variants of the TUBB4B gene that are 2.7 times more common in left-handed people. These variants may play a role in the development of brain asymmetry that determines dominant hand. The findings, based on genetic data from over 350,000 adults, suggest that microtubules controlled by TUBB4B are involved in setting up the brain's normal asymmetries. The prevalence of left-handedness varies globally, possibly reflecting cultural suppression. The study's findings may have relevance in psychiatry, as genes involved in brain asymmetry may also be linked to psychiatric traits.