 |
| Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2003): |
Genetic correlations between brain volumes and the WAIS-III dimensions of verbal comprehension, working memory, perceptual organization, and processing speed.
Full Abstract
We recently showed that the correlation of gray and white matter volume with full scale IQ and the Working Memory dimension are completely mediated by common genetic factors (Posthuma et al., 2002). Here we examine whether the other WAIS III dimensions (Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Processing Speed) are also related to gray and white matter volume, and whether any of the dimensions are related to cerebellar volume. Two overlapping samples provided 135 subjects from 60 extended twin families for whom both MRI scans and WAIS III data were available. All three brain volumes are related to Working Memory capacity (r = 0.27). This phenotypic correlation is completely due to a common underlying genetic factor. Processing Speed was genetically related to white matter volume (r(g) = 0.39). Perceptual Organization was both genetically (r(g) = 0.39) and environmentally (r(e) = -0.71) related to cerebellar volume. Verbal Comprehension was not related to any of the three brain volumes. It is concluded that brain volumes are genetically related to intelligence which suggests that genes that influence brain volume may also be important for intelligence. It is also noted however, that the direction of causation (i.e., do genes influence brain volume which in turn influences intelligence, or alternatively, do genes influence intelligence which in turn influences brain volume), or the presence or absence of pleiotropy has not been resolved yet.
Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills
Author information
Author/s: Posthuma, Daniëlle (D); Baaré, Wim F C (WF); Hulshoff Pol, Hilleke E (HE); Kahn, René S (RS); Boomsma, Dorret I (DI); De Geus, Eco J C (EJ);
Affiliation: Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands. danielle@psy.vu.nl
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Twin Study
Journal: Twin research : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies (Twin Res), published in Australia. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 6 (issue 2) : pp 131-9
Dates: Created 2003/05/01; Completed 2003/08/05; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 12723999, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):
Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.
This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.
MeSH headings (categories)
This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.
|
|
Related articles
This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.
See a large map of 100+ related articles.