Common genetic variants explain the majority of the correlation between height and intelligence: the generation Scotland study

Behav Genet. 2014 Mar;44(2):91-6. doi: 10.1007/s10519-014-9644-z. Epub 2014 Feb 20.

Abstract

Greater height and higher intelligence test scores are predictors of better health outcomes. Here, we used molecular (single-nucleotide polymorphism) data to estimate the genetic correlation between height and general intelligence (g) in 6,815 unrelated subjects (median age 57, IQR 49-63) from the Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study cohort. The phenotypic correlation between height and g was 0.16 (SE 0.01). The genetic correlation between height and g was 0.28 (SE 0.09) with a bivariate heritability estimate of 0.71. Understanding the molecular basis of the correlation between height and intelligence may help explain any shared role in determining health outcomes. This study identified a modest genetic correlation between height and intelligence with the majority of the phenotypic correlation being explained by shared genetic influences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Height / genetics*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Intelligence / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Phenotype
  • Scotland