Molecular Genetic Studies of Cognitive Ability

Abstract

The paper presents a review of the results of molecular genetic studies of cognitive abilities. To date, a small number of genes responsible for normal cognitive functioning have been detected despite numerous studies based on the approach of candidate genes, genome-wide association studies, and linkage analyses. It should be considered that, even when the genetic variants were significantly associated with cognitive phenotypes, the sizes of the effect were usually very low (1–2%). However, large-scale genetic studies performed in the last few years significantly expanded the knowledge on the molecular basis of human cognitive abilities and made it possible to explain up to 20% of the 50% inheritance of intelligence.