Projects per year
Abstract
Very different neurocognitive processes appear to be involved in cognitive abilities such as verbal and non-verbal ability as compared to learning abilities taught in schools such as reading and mathematics. However, twin studies that compare similarity for monozygotic and dizygotic twins suggest that the same genes are largely responsible for genetic influence on these diverse aspects of cognitive function. It is now possible to test this evidence for strong pleiotropy using DNA alone from samples of unrelated individuals. Here we used this new method with 1.7 million DNA markers for a sample of 2,500 unrelated children at age 12 to investigate for the first time the extent of pleiotropy between general cognitive ability (aka intelligence) and learning abilities (reading, mathematics and language skills). We also compared these DNA results to results from twin analyses using the same sample and measures. The DNA-based method revealed strong genome-wide pleiotropy: Genetic correlations were greater than 0.70 between general cognitive ability and language, reading, and mathematics, results that were highly similar to twin study estimates of genetic correlations. These results indicate that genes related to diverse neurocognitive processes have general rather than specific effects.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 267-273 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Behavior Genetics |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2013 |
Keywords
- Pleiotropy
- Intelligence
- Learning abilities
- Mathematics
- Language
- GCTA
- Twins
- Heritability
- Cognition
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Dive into the research topics of 'DNA Evidence for Strong Genome-Wide Pleiotropy of Cognitive and Learning Abilities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 8 Finished
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GHCA: Genetics of High Cognitive Abilities
Plomin, R. (Primary Investigator)
1/04/2012 → 31/03/2017
Project: Research
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Origins of learning difficulties and behaviour problems: from behavioural genetics to behavioural genomics
Plomin, R. (Primary Investigator)
1/10/2010 → 30/09/2015
Project: Research
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Non-Clinical Research Professorship.
Plomin, R. (Primary Investigator)
1/10/2010 → 30/09/2015
Project: Research