| Study reveals our intelligent
inheritance |
Clear evidence that intelligence is largely determined before birth emerged
from a new genetic study of twins.
The findings showed that genetic factors accounted for differences
between individuals in key areas such as intelligence and language
ability.
Grey matter volume - a measure of the density of brain cells - was
strongly determined by genes, and reflected cognitive performance.
Researchers led by Dr Paul Thompson, from the University of California
at Los Angeles, compared 20 twin pairs, half of whom were identical and
half non-identical.
Identical twins have the same genes, whereas non-identical twins, like
ordinary siblings, share about half. Features which are the same in
identical, but not non-identical twins are therefore likely to be governed
by genetic factors.
New 3D imaging techniques enabled the scientists to look for subtle
similarities and differences in brain structure.
Recent studies have suggested that many cognitive skills are
surprisingly heritable.
There are thought to be strong genetic influences on IQ, verbal and
spatial abilities, perceptual speed, and even some personality traits
including emotional reactions to stress.
The latest findings from California were reported today in the journal
Nature Neuroscience. The researchers wrote: "We found that brain structure
is under significant genetic control, in a broad anatomical region that
includes frontal and language-related cortices.
"The quantity of frontal grey matter, in particular, was most similar
in individuals who were genetically alike; intriguingly, these individual
differences in brain structure were tightly linked with individual
differences in IQ."
"The resulting genetic brain maps reveal a strong relationship between
genes, brain structure and behaviour, suggesting that highly heritable
aspects of brain structure may be fundamental in determining individual
differences in cognition."
Story filed: 19:33 Sunday 4th November 2001
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