Cited by 137Cognitive Abilities and TestingGenetic Associations and EpidemiologyNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Genetic variation, brain, and intelligence differences

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Deary, Ian J., Cox, Simon R., Hill, W. David·2022·Molecular Psychiatry

Abstract

Individual differences in human intelligence, as assessed using cognitive test scores, have a well-replicated, hierarchical phenotypic covariance structure. They are substantially stable across the life course, and are predictive of educational, social, and health outcomes. From this solid phenotypic foundation and importance for life, comes an interest in the environmental, social, and genetic aetiologies of intelligence, and in the foundations of intelligence differences in brain structure and functioning. Here, we summarise and critique the last 10 years or so of molecular genetic (DNA-based) research on intelligence, including the discovery of genetic loci associated with intelligence, DNA-based heritability, and intelligence’s genetic correlations with other traits. We summarise new brain imaging-intelligence findings, including whole-brain associations and grey and white matter associations. We summarise regional brain imaging associations with intelligence and interpret these with respect to theoretical accounts. We address research that combines genetics and brain imaging in studying intelligence differences. There are new, though modest, associations in all these areas, and mechanistic accounts are lacking. We attempt to identify growing points that might contribute toward a more integrated ‘systems biology’ account of some of the between-individual differences in intelligence.

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Authors
Deary, I. J., Cox, S. R., & Hill, W. D.
Affiliations
University of Edinburgh (GB)
Corresponding author
Deary, Ian J.
Venue
Molecular Psychiatry
Published
2021-02-02
Volume
27
Issue
1
Pages
335-353
ISSN
  • 1359-4184 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5578
OpenAlex
W3127205570
Cited by
137
References
158
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 14 · 2013: 1
FWCI
3.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Age UK (Disconnected Mind)
  • RCUK | Medical Research Council (MR/R024065/1)
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (1R01AG054628-01A1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
intelligence, individual differences, genetic variation, heritability, genetic loci, brain structure, neuroimaging, grey matter, white matter, genetic correlation, systems biology, cognitive test scores
MeSH terms
Brain, Humans, Intelligence, Neuropsychological Tests, Genetic Variation, White Matter

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