rs12324426 (ADAMTS17): Motor Coordination Variant
Key takeaways
- rs12324426 near ADAMTS17 showed a suggestive association with motor coordination in a genome-wide study of 4,542 children.
- No SNPs in this study reached genome-wide significance, making all findings preliminary.
- This 2025 study is the first genome-wide analysis focused specifically on motor coordination in children.
- Developmental Coordination Disorder affects roughly 5% of school-age children and is tied to poorer academic and life outcomes.
- Independent replication in larger cohorts is needed before conclusions about this variant can be drawn.
Key takeaways
- rs12324426 near ADAMTS17 showed a suggestive association with motor coordination ability in a genome-wide study of 4,542 children.
- No SNPs in this study reached the genome-wide significance threshold, making all findings preliminary and in need of replication.
- This 2025 study is the first genome-wide association analysis focused specifically on early motor coordination in children.
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), the condition studied, affects roughly 5% of school-age children and is associated with poorer academic outcomes and reduced quality of life.
- Independent replication in larger cohorts is needed before any firm conclusions about this variant can be drawn.
What the research says A 2025 genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 4,542 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) examined the genetic basis of early motor coordination, with a particular focus on difficulties consistent with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), a neurodevelopmental condition defined by severe impairment of motor skills in early childhood. The study derived a composite motor coordination measure from four components of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, providing a single overall score across the full range of ability. Across the full genome scan, 59 SNPs showed suggestive associations with motor coordination, including rs12324426 near ADAMTS17, but none reached the genome-wide significance threshold.
Reported associations
- Motor coordination / Developmental Coordination Disorder: rs12324426 near ADAMTS17 was identified as one of 59 SNPs with suggestive associations with motor coordination ability in a GWAS of N=4,542 children from the ALSPAC cohort; this association did not reach genome-wide significance.
Evidence quality The sole evidence for rs12324426 comes from a single GWAS of 4,542 children, which is a modest sample size for a genome-wide study of a complex trait. No SNPs in the study met the genome-wide significance threshold, placing this variant in the suggestive rather than confirmed category. Three genomic regions containing five preliminary candidate genes - IQSEC1, LRCC1, SYNJ2B2, ADAM20, and ADAM21 - were highlighted as the primary regions of interest; rs12324426 near ADAMTS17 was among the broader set of 59 suggestive hits not highlighted in those primary regions. No independent replication study is reported in the provided literature. This evidence should be considered hypothesis-generating only.
Lifestyle considerations No lifestyle considerations on file for this variant.
Frequently asked questions
What is rs12324426?
rs12324426 is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), a common type of genetic variant, located near the ADAMTS17 gene. It was identified as a suggestive hit in a 2025 genome-wide association study of motor coordination in children, though it did not reach the standard threshold for a confirmed finding.
What is Developmental Coordination Disorder?
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition defined by severe impairment of motor skills in early childhood, in the absence of any other explanatory condition such as cerebral palsy or intellectual disability. It affects roughly 5% of 7-8-year-old children and is associated with difficulties in academic achievement, daily activities, and quality of life.
Is rs12324426 proven to affect motor coordination?
No. The association between rs12324426 and motor coordination did not reach genome-wide significance in the one available study. It is a suggestive, preliminary finding that requires independent replication in larger samples before it can be considered established.
What study identified a link between rs12324426 and motor coordination?
A 2025 study by Mountford and colleagues used data from 4,542 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to conduct the first genome-wide association study focused on motor coordination in the context of motor difficulties.
What other genes were highlighted in the motor coordination GWAS?
The 2025 GWAS highlighted five preliminary candidate genes across three genomic regions: IQSEC1, LRCC1, SYNJ2B2, ADAM20, and ADAM21. ADAMTS17, where rs12324426 is located, was among the broader set of 59 suggestive hits outside those primary highlighted regions.