Research: Genes determine intelligence throughout lifespanJanuary 19, 2012 - 21:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Using a genetic analysis and intelligence tests taken in a group of people in childhood and old age, researchers concluded both genes and environmental factors play a role in whether you'll maintain your level of intelligence throughout your lifespan. "We estimated that about a quarter of the lifetime changes in intelligence test scores might be due to genetic factors," said lead study author Ian Deary, a professor of differential psychology and director of the University of Edinburgh Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, in Scotland. Maintaining brain health into old age is a key to aging well, including the ability to do everyday tasks and stay independent, according to background information in the report. Plenty of prior research has found that how smart you are in adolescence generally carries over into adulthood and old age. In the study, investigators used genome-wide association data on 1,940 unrelated people in Scotland, along with information from intelligence tests participants took when they were about age 11, and then again between 54 and 68 years later, when they were either 65, 70 or 79. Genome-wide association research "involves rapidly scanning markers across the complete sets of DNA, or genomes, of many people to find genetic variations," the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute explains. Deary's team looked specifically for differences in bits of DNA called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) associated with people whose intelligence either declined or stayed stable. "We were able to make estimates of the genetic contribution to intelligence differences in childhood and old age, and the change between these times, in the same people," Deary said. "What was novel about these estimates was that they were made from actual testing of DNA, not from twin or adoption studies." S. Duke Han, an assistant professor in the department of behavioral sciences and a clinical neuropsychologist at Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago, said the study is unique in that it was able to measure intelligence in the same group of people over such a long period of time. "What this is saying is something many researchers have accepted for a long time, that intelligence seems to be very much influenced by genetic makeup but also environmental factors," Han said. Those environmental factors may include things that influence cardiovascular health, exposures to toxins and education, among other factors. In analyzing the data, the researchers were able to make broad inferences about how much genetics played a role in maintaining intelligence over the lifespan, but they weren't able to identify specific genes or gene variants that might contribute, HealthDay News said. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. Greek-Armenian organizations support "Tavush for Motherland" Greek-Armenian organizations have expressed support for the campaign led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. |