The DOI matches its Crossref record; 166 of the 166 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Genetic variation, brain, and intelligence differences
Open accessAbstract
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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“This matters because intelligence, educational attainment, and other cognitive abilities are all highly heritable9,34.”
From The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background (2022) · cites this paper as [9]
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“Scores in measures of intelligence are highly predictive of a person’s future, including happiness, longevity, income, and educational achievement9.”
From The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background (2022) · cites this paper as [9]
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Personality Neuroscience: An Emerging Field With Bright Prospects
DeYoung, C. G., Beaty, R. E., Genç, E., Latzman, R. D., Passamonti, L., Servaas, M. N., Shackman, A. J., Smillie, L. D., Spreng, R. N., Viding, E. M., et al. (2022) · Personality Science · doi:10.5964/ps.7269 · Cited by 69
Fluid intelligence and the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine system
Tsukahara, J. S., & Engle, R. W. (2021) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2110630118 · Cited by 56
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Metadata
- 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
- PMC
- PMC8960418
- OpenAlex
- W3127205570
- Cited by
- 137
- References
- 158
- Citations by year
- 2026: 25 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 14
- FWCI
- 3.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- 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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