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30 - The Genetics of Cognitive Abilities

from Part IV - Cognitive, Social, and Biological Factors across the Lifespan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2020

By
Goran Papenberg  and
Lars Bäckman
Edited by
Ayanna K. Thomas  and
Angela Gutchess
Ayanna K. Thomas
Affiliation:
Tufts University, Massachusetts
Angela Gutchess
Affiliation:
Brandeis University, Massachusetts
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Summary

Cognitive functions are highly heritable and polygenic, determined by many different genes. This chapter summarizes current knowledge regarding the genetic basis of cognitive abilities based on evidence from twin studies and behavioral genetic studies, focusing on single genes or polygenic scores. Given the focus of this book on aging, we also highlight differences of genetic influences on cognition across the adult life span, which contribute to the large interindividual differences in the decline of cognition in old age. In addition, we discuss the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in influencing cognition in adulthood and aging. Here, we focus on gene-environment interactions, gene-environment correlations, and epigenetic mechanisms, which likely account for some of the differential patterns in cognitive aging trajectories.

Keywords

genescandidate genesepigeneticsheritabilitygene-environment interactionsgene-environment correlationsepisodic memoryintelligencesingle-nucleotide polymorphismspolygenic scoresworking memory
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
A Life Course Perspective
 , pp. 552 - 567
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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