Could your intelligence be influenced by your DNA? Discover your intelligence gene through the power of genomic science.
Who wouldn't want to be smarter?
Naturally, intelligence is highly valuable. The ability to, for example, mentally add up long columns of numbers quickly and accurately is a highly useful talent -- and likely an indication of other extremely valuable gifts. If you can memorize information easily and retain it for long stretches, you've probably done well on your fair share of tests!
Intelligence is a nuanced, multifaceted trait. There are generally accepted characteristics that we typically view as signs of intelligence, such as having an accurate memory, the ability to learn things quickly, and the ability to retain information learned. However, there are lots of environmental and biological factors that contribute to our ability to process information successfully. Many of these factors are inherited. Essentially, your capacity for learning and processing information is greatly influenced by an intelligence gene.
Intelligence is one of the most heritable traits in humans, with heritability estimates ranging from 25 to 40% in early childhood and up to 80% in adulthood.
What is The Performance Intelligence Gene?
Understanding a childhood intelligence gene can provide a better explanation as to why some children learn and memorize different things better than others. Through childhood intelligence DNA analysis, we can discover important factors that contribute to the development of children in many ways. The SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa) gene is believed to be a strong predictor of intelligence in children and, ultimately, adults.
A Dutch study published in 2006 explored the role the SNAP-25 gene plays in cognitive development. In the mature brain, the SNAP-25 gene product forms a complex with syntaxin and the synaptic vesicle proteins that mediate the exocytosis of neurotransmitters from the synaptic vesicle into the synaptic cleft. Due to the important role of the SNAP-25 gene in learning and memory -- two major components of intelligence -- the variant in the gene may affect the individual differences in intelligence.
In the aforementioned study, researchers conducted a family-based association study of two independent groups of children and adults to investigate whether the SNAP-25 gene plays a role in human intelligence.
In the young group, cognitive ability was assessed with the revised Dutch adaptation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. It consisted of four verbal subtests (similarities, vocabulary, arithmetic, and digit span) and two performance subtests (block design and object assembly). In the adult group, the Dutch adaptation of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III-Revised assessed IQ and consisted of four verbal subtests (information, similarities, vocabulary, and arithmetic) and four performance subtests (picture completion, block design, matrix reasoning, and digit-symbol substitution).
The results showed that the G allele of rs363039 was significantly associated with higher performance IQ in the group of children and in the combined analysis of the children and adults. In the combined analysis, rs363039 also showed significant associations in both verbal IQ and full-scale IQ in the same direction of effect.
While a specific intelligence gene might be a strong indication of overall intelligence, lots of genetic factors contribute to your ability to learn and retain information. A full DNA analysis will reveal your true potential.
How Do I Find Out About My Intelligence Genes?
You can access your raw DNA file for in-depth analysis if you've had an at-home DNA test from a provider like 23andMe or MyHeritage. Your DNA file can provide comprehensive genetic results that might shed some light on how you’ve been able to learn and memorize things in the past and the future.
Let us help you understand your genetic makeup – sign up with Genomelink today!
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