Dr Elsje van Bergen
@drelsje.bsky.social
A/Prof Psychology @ VU Amsterdam; Visiting Prof @ Oslo.
Educational Genetics | Neurodiversity | Intergenerational Transmission
🧬📖➗👨👩👧👦 #ERC-StG #VIDI 🤸acrobat
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=X2U5w7UAAAAJ&hl=nl&oi=ao
Educational Genetics | Neurodiversity | Intergenerational Transmission
🧬📖➗👨👩👧👦 #ERC-StG #VIDI 🤸acrobat
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=X2U5w7UAAAAJ&hl=nl&oi=ao
Pinned
Dr Elsje van Bergen
@drelsje.bsky.social
· Mar 19
Genetics reveal: Children with ADHD at greater risk for learning difficulties - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
De erfelijke aanleg voor ADHD overlapt met aanleg voor dyslexie en dyscalculie, blijkt uit onderzoek van de VU en UvA.
vu.nl
🚀 New paper & press release! 🧬📖 🧮 Our large-scale study (20,000 children) shows that #ADHD, #dyslexia, and #dyscalculia often co-occur due to shared genetic risk—not because one condition causes the other.
doi.org/10.1177/0956... (1/5)
doi.org/10.1177/0956... (1/5)
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
For anyone who loves a good visual: this UpSet plot shows how combinations of ADHD and learning difficulties co-occur.
• Single dots = 1 condition
• Connected dots = ≥2
Learning difficulties co-occur ~4.5× more with each other, but only ~1.5× with ADHD.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
3/5
• Single dots = 1 condition
• Connected dots = ≥2
Learning difficulties co-occur ~4.5× more with each other, but only ~1.5× with ADHD.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
3/5
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
For anyone who loves a good visual: this UpSet plot shows how combinations of ADHD and learning difficulties co-occur.
• Single dots = 1 condition
• Connected dots = ≥2
Learning difficulties co-occur ~4.5× more with each other, but only ~1.5× with ADHD.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
3/5
• Single dots = 1 condition
• Connected dots = ≥2
Learning difficulties co-occur ~4.5× more with each other, but only ~1.5× with ADHD.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
3/5
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Does ADHD cause learning difficulties?
RI-CLPMs show:
• no cross-lagged effects with reading fluency or arithmetic
• consistent effects from ADHD to later reading comprehension
Shared risk factors explain most overlap—except for comprehension, where ADHD predicts slower growth.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
2/5
RI-CLPMs show:
• no cross-lagged effects with reading fluency or arithmetic
• consistent effects from ADHD to later reading comprehension
Shared risk factors explain most overlap—except for comprehension, where ADHD predicts slower growth.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
2/5
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Does ADHD cause learning difficulties?
RI-CLPMs show:
• no cross-lagged effects with reading fluency or arithmetic
• consistent effects from ADHD to later reading comprehension
Shared risk factors explain most overlap—except for comprehension, where ADHD predicts slower growth.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
2/5
RI-CLPMs show:
• no cross-lagged effects with reading fluency or arithmetic
• consistent effects from ADHD to later reading comprehension
Shared risk factors explain most overlap—except for comprehension, where ADHD predicts slower growth.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
2/5
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
In 2,000 children followed from Grades 1–9, we find that #LearningDifficulties co-occur strongly with each other, but only weakly with #ADHD.
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In 2,000 children followed from Grades 1–9, we find that #LearningDifficulties co-occur strongly with each other, but only weakly with #ADHD.
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Advances in genomics are giving exciting new perspectives on biology of speech, language & reading. My latest peer-reviewed paper is a tutorial, guiding readers from different backgrounds through the history of the field, current state-of-the-art, & where we’re heading. A taster in this thread.🧪
1/n
1/n
Genomic Investigations of Spoken and Written Language Abilities: A Guide to Advances in Approaches, Technologies, and Discovery
Purpose: The aim of this tutorial is to show how the rise of molecular technologies
and analytical methods in human genetics yields exciting new ...
pubs.asha.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Advances in genomics are giving exciting new perspectives on biology of speech, language & reading. My latest peer-reviewed paper is a tutorial, guiding readers from different backgrounds through the history of the field, current state-of-the-art, & where we’re heading. A taster in this thread.🧪
1/n
1/n
In 2,000 children followed from Grades 1–9, we find that #LearningDifficulties co-occur strongly with each other, but only weakly with #ADHD.
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In 2,000 children followed from Grades 1–9, we find that #LearningDifficulties co-occur strongly with each other, but only weakly with #ADHD.
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
While ADHD affects reading comprehension over time, it does not drive reading fluency or arithmetic.
🔗 osf.io/rvd9q/
Led by @mpsyridou.bsky.social
1/5
✨ Everything I do is #TeamScience — collaboration across countries, disciplines & perspectives.
Grateful to the International #Dyslexia Association for recognising our work with the 2025 Early Career Award in Atlanta.
🧬 Full story by @vuamsterdam.bsky.social:
vu.nl/en/news/2025...
#DyslexiaCon25
Grateful to the International #Dyslexia Association for recognising our work with the 2025 Early Career Award in Atlanta.
🧬 Full story by @vuamsterdam.bsky.social:
vu.nl/en/news/2025...
#DyslexiaCon25
November 12, 2025 at 8:52 PM
✨ Everything I do is #TeamScience — collaboration across countries, disciplines & perspectives.
Grateful to the International #Dyslexia Association for recognising our work with the 2025 Early Career Award in Atlanta.
🧬 Full story by @vuamsterdam.bsky.social:
vu.nl/en/news/2025...
#DyslexiaCon25
Grateful to the International #Dyslexia Association for recognising our work with the 2025 Early Career Award in Atlanta.
🧬 Full story by @vuamsterdam.bsky.social:
vu.nl/en/news/2025...
#DyslexiaCon25
Does anyone have the British Ability Scales (BAS) II manual (Elliott, Smith & McCulloch, 1996/1997) on their shelf? 📚
@magdamatetovici.bsky.social, @carorowland.bsky.social & I are trying to look up the reliability for the Naming Vocabulary subtest (age 5). E.g. Cronbach’s α or test–retest r.
🙏
@magdamatetovici.bsky.social, @carorowland.bsky.social & I are trying to look up the reliability for the Naming Vocabulary subtest (age 5). E.g. Cronbach’s α or test–retest r.
🙏
November 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Does anyone have the British Ability Scales (BAS) II manual (Elliott, Smith & McCulloch, 1996/1997) on their shelf? 📚
@magdamatetovici.bsky.social, @carorowland.bsky.social & I are trying to look up the reliability for the Naming Vocabulary subtest (age 5). E.g. Cronbach’s α or test–retest r.
🙏
@magdamatetovici.bsky.social, @carorowland.bsky.social & I are trying to look up the reliability for the Naming Vocabulary subtest (age 5). E.g. Cronbach’s α or test–retest r.
🙏
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
🚨 Big question, big paper! Why does educational inequality run in families?
The parent-child education link (r = .31) is often seen as purely environmental.
From 569k kids, we decomposed it:
🧬 68% genetic
🏡 12% parental environment
👴 20% extended-family environment
👉 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🧵
The parent-child education link (r = .31) is often seen as purely environmental.
From 569k kids, we decomposed it:
🧬 68% genetic
🏡 12% parental environment
👴 20% extended-family environment
👉 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🧵
April 13, 2025 at 8:23 AM
🚨 Big question, big paper! Why does educational inequality run in families?
The parent-child education link (r = .31) is often seen as purely environmental.
From 569k kids, we decomposed it:
🧬 68% genetic
🏡 12% parental environment
👴 20% extended-family environment
👉 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🧵
The parent-child education link (r = .31) is often seen as purely environmental.
From 569k kids, we decomposed it:
🧬 68% genetic
🏡 12% parental environment
👴 20% extended-family environment
👉 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🧵
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Weet jij allang op wie je gaat stemmen, of ben je nog in dubio? Om het je zo makkelijk mogelijk te maken, hebben we de tien beste redenen om op GroenLinks-PvdA te stemmen verzameld. Lees, deel en stem voor een links, progressief kabinet!
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
Tien redenen om op GroenLinks-PvdA te stemmen
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl
October 26, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Weet jij allang op wie je gaat stemmen, of ben je nog in dubio? Om het je zo makkelijk mogelijk te maken, hebben we de tien beste redenen om op GroenLinks-PvdA te stemmen verzameld. Lees, deel en stem voor een links, progressief kabinet!
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
We have an open postdoc position in Social Science Genomics in Berlin!
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Postdoctoral Position in Social Science Genomics | Max Planck Research Group Biosocial
www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de
October 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
We have an open postdoc position in Social Science Genomics in Berlin!
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Interdisciplinary paper with @paulhufe.net Astrid Sandsør and Nicolai Borgen now out in PNAS!
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
The genetic lottery goes to school: Better schools compensate for the effects of students’ genetic differences
www.pnas.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Interdisciplinary paper with @paulhufe.net Astrid Sandsør and Nicolai Borgen now out in PNAS!
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
Weet jij allang op wie je gaat stemmen, of ben je nog in dubio? Om het je zo makkelijk mogelijk te maken, hebben we de tien beste redenen om op GroenLinks-PvdA te stemmen verzameld. Lees, deel en stem voor een links, progressief kabinet!
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
Tien redenen om op GroenLinks-PvdA te stemmen
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl
October 26, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Weet jij allang op wie je gaat stemmen, of ben je nog in dubio? Om het je zo makkelijk mogelijk te maken, hebben we de tien beste redenen om op GroenLinks-PvdA te stemmen verzameld. Lees, deel en stem voor een links, progressief kabinet!
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
stem.groenlinkspvda.nl/s/arEXqCL6
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
✨ Honoured to receive the 2025 Early Career Award at #DyslexiaCon25!
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
October 24, 2025 at 12:36 AM
✨ Honoured to receive the 2025 Early Career Award at #DyslexiaCon25!
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
✨ Honoured to receive the 2025 Early Career Award at #DyslexiaCon25!
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
October 24, 2025 at 12:36 AM
✨ Honoured to receive the 2025 Early Career Award at #DyslexiaCon25!
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
I’ll give my award talk on Fri 3:50pm
🎓 Decoding the Gene–Environment Interplay on Dyslexia
Grateful to all my collaborators and lab members— #TeamScience is all I do 💙
🔗 About the award files.constantcontact.com/e2798027001/...
🚀From psychology undergraduate to behavioural geneticist: my PhD student @madeliefkuijper.bsky.social shares her inspiring journey
“I once feared statistics—now I use R every day, even with pleasure!”
vu.nl/nl/verhalen/... @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
@academic-chatter.bsky.social #PhDLife #AcademicSky
“I once feared statistics—now I use R every day, even with pleasure!”
vu.nl/nl/verhalen/... @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
@academic-chatter.bsky.social #PhDLife #AcademicSky
Madelief Kuijper voltooide de Bachelor Psychologie - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Madelief Kuijper heeft de bacheloropleiding Psychologie aan de Vrije Universiteit voltooid. Hoe heeft zij de opleiding ervaren?
vu.nl
October 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
🚀From psychology undergraduate to behavioural geneticist: my PhD student @madeliefkuijper.bsky.social shares her inspiring journey
“I once feared statistics—now I use R every day, even with pleasure!”
vu.nl/nl/verhalen/... @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
@academic-chatter.bsky.social #PhDLife #AcademicSky
“I once feared statistics—now I use R every day, even with pleasure!”
vu.nl/nl/verhalen/... @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
@academic-chatter.bsky.social #PhDLife #AcademicSky
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Brilliant thread summarising this field - perfect for those in other fields 🙏
🧩Learning to talk & read isn’t just about effort or teaching—it’s shaped by biology, experience & context
🧠Our new review links genetics, neuroscience, psychology & education to show why some children find language or reading easier.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️genes→brain→cognition→behaviour 🧵👇
🧠Our new review links genetics, neuroscience, psychology & education to show why some children find language or reading easier.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️genes→brain→cognition→behaviour 🧵👇
October 6, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Brilliant thread summarising this field - perfect for those in other fields 🙏
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
wow! how amazing. Thanks to you all for taking this on - I am looking forward to reading it 😀
💬 This paper grew from a special issue celebrating Professor @deevybee.bsky.social—four of us invited from different fields for a “scientific blind date.”
That spark became a truly interdisciplinary review.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️ writing retreat, Wellcome Collection (London)
That spark became a truly interdisciplinary review.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️ writing retreat, Wellcome Collection (London)
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 AM
wow! how amazing. Thanks to you all for taking this on - I am looking forward to reading it 😀
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
🏠 Language & reading often “run in families” — not just through shared environment, but also through shared genes.
Parents pass on both DNA & experiences. Their own traits shape the home & how they interact with children — creating gene–environment correlations.
🖼️ child ↔ parents ↔ broader context
Parents pass on both DNA & experiences. Their own traits shape the home & how they interact with children — creating gene–environment correlations.
🖼️ child ↔ parents ↔ broader context
October 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
🏠 Language & reading often “run in families” — not just through shared environment, but also through shared genes.
Parents pass on both DNA & experiences. Their own traits shape the home & how they interact with children — creating gene–environment correlations.
🖼️ child ↔ parents ↔ broader context
Parents pass on both DNA & experiences. Their own traits shape the home & how they interact with children — creating gene–environment correlations.
🖼️ child ↔ parents ↔ broader context
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
🧬 Language & reading show moderate to high heritability—differences among children are partly inherited.
A polygenic score sums thousands of tiny DNA effects to estimate genetic propensity, but it’s not destiny: environment & chance still matter.
🖼️ many small variants → one polygenic score
A polygenic score sums thousands of tiny DNA effects to estimate genetic propensity, but it’s not destiny: environment & chance still matter.
🖼️ many small variants → one polygenic score
October 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
🧬 Language & reading show moderate to high heritability—differences among children are partly inherited.
A polygenic score sums thousands of tiny DNA effects to estimate genetic propensity, but it’s not destiny: environment & chance still matter.
🖼️ many small variants → one polygenic score
A polygenic score sums thousands of tiny DNA effects to estimate genetic propensity, but it’s not destiny: environment & chance still matter.
🖼️ many small variants → one polygenic score
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Fabulous review here! Essential reading for language and literacty bods
🧩Learning to talk & read isn’t just about effort or teaching—it’s shaped by biology, experience & context
🧠Our new review links genetics, neuroscience, psychology & education to show why some children find language or reading easier.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️genes→brain→cognition→behaviour 🧵👇
🧠Our new review links genetics, neuroscience, psychology & education to show why some children find language or reading easier.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️genes→brain→cognition→behaviour 🧵👇
October 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Fabulous review here! Essential reading for language and literacty bods
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
📊 Language & reading skills form a continuum—not two groups of “typical” vs “disordered”
Conditions like dyslexia or developmental language disorder (DLD) reflect the lower end of normal variation in these skills, not distinct categories
🖼️ continuous distribution of ability, with cut-offs shown
Conditions like dyslexia or developmental language disorder (DLD) reflect the lower end of normal variation in these skills, not distinct categories
🖼️ continuous distribution of ability, with cut-offs shown
October 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
📊 Language & reading skills form a continuum—not two groups of “typical” vs “disordered”
Conditions like dyslexia or developmental language disorder (DLD) reflect the lower end of normal variation in these skills, not distinct categories
🖼️ continuous distribution of ability, with cut-offs shown
Conditions like dyslexia or developmental language disorder (DLD) reflect the lower end of normal variation in these skills, not distinct categories
🖼️ continuous distribution of ability, with cut-offs shown
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Two birds of a gene - catch Matt Keller's webinar at @uio.no on October 15th. Please share
www.sv.uio.no/promenta/eng...
@ispg.bsky.social @behaviorgenetic.bsky.social @unioslo-svfak.bsky.social @essgn.bsky.social @ibg.colorado.edu
www.sv.uio.no/promenta/eng...
@ispg.bsky.social @behaviorgenetic.bsky.social @unioslo-svfak.bsky.social @essgn.bsky.social @ibg.colorado.edu
Using structural equation models to estimate direct and indirect genetic effects and assortative mating in trio data
- PROMENTA
Guest lecture by Matt Keller
www.sv.uio.no
October 5, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Two birds of a gene - catch Matt Keller's webinar at @uio.no on October 15th. Please share
www.sv.uio.no/promenta/eng...
@ispg.bsky.social @behaviorgenetic.bsky.social @unioslo-svfak.bsky.social @essgn.bsky.social @ibg.colorado.edu
www.sv.uio.no/promenta/eng...
@ispg.bsky.social @behaviorgenetic.bsky.social @unioslo-svfak.bsky.social @essgn.bsky.social @ibg.colorado.edu
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
Happy to announce that I'll give a talk on how we can make rigorous causal inference more mainstream 📈
You can sign up for the Zoom link here: tinyurl.com/CIIG-JuliaRo...
You can sign up for the Zoom link here: tinyurl.com/CIIG-JuliaRo...
October 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Happy to announce that I'll give a talk on how we can make rigorous causal inference more mainstream 📈
You can sign up for the Zoom link here: tinyurl.com/CIIG-JuliaRo...
You can sign up for the Zoom link here: tinyurl.com/CIIG-JuliaRo...
Reposted by Dr Elsje van Bergen
