Goldberg Hermo Ximena, Lemos Giráldez Serafín, Fañanás Saura Lourdes
Universitat de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM).
Psicothema. 2014;26(1):1-9. doi: 10.7334/psicothema2012.210.
Models of cognition propose a hierarchical structure for human cognitive processes, in which the sequences of human action are organized into parts or subunits of analysis that can be grouped into progressively more complex, inclusive higher-order functions. This organizational structure from partial to whole may be reflected in the neural representations that underlie human behaviour, and in its genetic underpinnings. The objective of the present study was to explore a putative hierarchical organization of the genetic influences underlying cognitive domains.
Thirty four studies of the heritability of cognition on population-based samples were reviewed, which included measures of intelligence, verbal and performance abilities, memory, working memory and processing speed.
Specific cognitive domains showed diverse proportions of genetic underpinnings such that higher-order cognitive functions present high heritability estimates, whereas lower-order functions respond to small/moderate heritability estimates.
Based on current understanding of the developmental processes of the neurobiological substrates of human cognition, the genetic contributions to cognitive abilities seem to be organized in line with the ontogenic maturation of the brain. We discuss the large genetic control of the combinatory capacity of basic cognitive functions, and its interaction with environmental influences.
认知模型提出了人类认知过程的层次结构，其中人类行为序列被组织成分析的部分或子单元，这些部分或子单元可以被分组为逐渐更复杂、更具包容性的高阶功能。这种从部分到整体的组织结构可能反映在人类行为背后的神经表征及其遗传基础中。本研究的目的是探索认知领域潜在的遗传影响层次组织。
回顾了34项基于人群样本的认知遗传力研究，其中包括智力、语言和操作能力、记忆、工作记忆和处理速度的测量。
特定认知领域显示出不同比例的遗传基础，高阶认知功能呈现出较高的遗传力估计值，而低阶功能的遗传力估计值较小/适中。
基于目前对人类认知神经生物学底物发育过程的理解，遗传对认知能力的贡献似乎与大脑的个体发育成熟相一致。我们讨论了基本认知功能组合能力的大遗传控制及其与环境影响的相互作用。
