There are close links between the genes that influence risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and autism, and genes related to some cognitive functions, according to an analysis published yesterday.
Professor Ian Deary of Edinburgh University, UK, and colleagues analysed genetic information from 112,151 people, recorded in the UK Biobank. This resource includes details on a total of 499,808 participants collected from 2006 to 2013.
The team compared each individual’s cognitive test results with their genome. This highlighted some genes that influence both cognitive traits and physical disease.
Writing in the journal Molecular Psychiatry yesterday (26 January), the researchers state: "Substantial and significant genetic correlations were observed between cognitive test scores in the UK Biobank sample and many of the mental and physical health-related traits and disorders assessed here.
"In addition, highly significant associations were observed between the cognitive test scores in the UK Biobank sample and many polygenic profile scores, including coronary artery disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, autism, major depressive disorder, body mass index, intracranial volume, infant head circumference and childhood cognitive ability."
Professor Deary commented: "In addition to there being shared genetic influences between cognitive skills and some physical and mental health states, the study also found that cognitive skills share genetic influences with brain size, body shape and educational attainments."
Co-researcher Saskia Hagenaars said: "The study supports an existing theory which says that those with better overall health are likely to have higher levels of intelligence."
"The research highlights the importance of investigating biological pathways that influence both cognitive function and health related traits," added another researcher on the team, Dr Sarah Harris.
Hagenaars, S. P. et al. Shared genetic aetiology between cognitive functions and physical and mental health in UK Biobank (N=112?151) and 24 GWAS consortia. Molecular Psychiatry 26 January 2016; doi: 10.1038/mp.2015.225
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