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Genetic Correlations Between Brain Volumes and the WAIS-III Dimensions of Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, Perceptual Organization, and Processing Speed

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Daniëlle Posthuma ,
Wim F. C. Baaré ,
Hilleke E. Hulshoff Pol ,
René S. Kahn ,
Dorret I. Boomsma  and
Eco J. C. De Geus
Daniëlle Posthuma*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychology,Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,The Netherlands. danielle@psy.vu.nl
Wim F. C. Baaré
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht,The Netherlands.
Hilleke E. Hulshoff Pol
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht,The Netherlands.
René S. Kahn
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht,The Netherlands.
Dorret I. Boomsma
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychology,Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,The Netherlands.
Eco J. C. De Geus
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychology,Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,The Netherlands.
*
*Address for correspondence: D. Posthuma, Vrije Universiteit, Department of Biological Psychology, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands,

Abstract

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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 (rg = 0.39). Perceptual Organization was both genetically (rg = 0.39) and environmentally (re= −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.

Type
Articles
Information
Twin Research and Human Genetics , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , 01 April 2003 , pp. 131 - 139
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003