Vinkhuyzen Anna A E, van der Sluis Sophie, Posthuma Danielle
Complex Trait Genetics, Department of Functional Genomics & Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), FALW-VUA, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The, Netherlands.
Twin Res Hum Genet. 2012 Feb;15(1):87-96. doi: 10.1375/twin.15.1.87.
Although it is well established that experience seeking behavior (ES) is positively related to cognitive functioning, the mechanisms underlying this association are not clearly understood. In a large sample of adult twins and siblings (N = 864, age range 23-75), we studied the causes of covariation between ES and general cognitive ability and we studied whether ES moderates the genetic and environmental causes of variation in general cognitive ability. Results demonstrate a phenotypic correlation of .17 (p <.001) between general cognitive ability and ES, with a common genetic and common environmental background. Moreover, the extent to which genetic and environmental factors are shared between general cognitive ability and ES is increased in individuals with either lower or higher levels of ES. In addition, the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence individual differences in general cognitive ability in adults partly depended on ES. Standardized influences of additive genetic factors on general cognitive ability ranged from 13% to 99%, with lower estimates in higher levels of ES, while standardized estimates of environmental factors ranged from almost 1% to 87%, with higher estimates in higher levels of ES. Hence, ES and cognitive ability are not only associated through common genetic and environmental factors, but also via moderating effects of genetic and environmental influences on cognitive ability by ES. These findings have implications for future studies on the association between ES and general cognitive ability, and for future research on the genetics of cognitive ability.
尽管已有充分证据表明寻求体验行为（ES）与认知功能呈正相关，但这种关联背后的机制尚不清楚。在一个由成年双胞胎和兄弟姐妹组成的大样本（N = 864，年龄范围23 - 75岁）中，我们研究了ES与一般认知能力之间协变的原因，并且研究了ES是否调节一般认知能力变异的遗传和环境原因。结果表明，在共同的遗传和环境背景下，一般认知能力与ES之间的表型相关性为0.17（p <.001）。此外，在ES水平较低或较高的个体中，一般认知能力与ES之间共享的遗传和环境因素的程度有所增加。此外，遗传和环境因素对成年人一般认知能力个体差异的影响程度部分取决于ES。加性遗传因素对一般认知能力的标准化影响范围为13%至99%，在ES水平较高时估计值较低，而环境因素的标准化估计值范围从近1%至87%，在ES水平较高时估计值较高。因此，ES与认知能力不仅通过共同的遗传和环境因素相关联，而且还通过ES对遗传和环境对认知能力的影响的调节作用相关联。这些发现对未来关于ES与一般认知能力之间关联的研究以及未来关于认知能力遗传学的研究具有启示意义。
