Researchers have unlocked the secret of our intelligence

Genes of intelligence have been identified

"Nothing in the world is as equitably distributed as the spirit, because everyone is convinced that he has enough," said French philosopher, mathematician and scientist Rene Descartes. From a genetic point of view, the distribution does not seem as accurate. A recent study shows that people's brain performance is genetically determined. The researchers were able to identify a group of genes that regulate cognitive abilities.

Is it possible to create a super-intelligent human by influencing genes? An Austrian research team from the University of Medicine Innsbruck recently laid the foundation for this goal. Researchers have discovered why some people are smarter than others. The reason lies in the genes. For the first time, genes responsible for human intelligence have been identified. The results of the research have recently been published in the renowned journal "Plos genetics".

There is no single gene for intelligence

"We know that there is no so-called gene of intelligence, but that many genes each bring a small contribution," said Joint Neuroscience Center director, Georg Dechant, in a press release regarding the results of the study. This research has made a major contribution to the basic understanding of intelligence, on which the genetic basis was previously little known.

A group of proteins regulates brain performance

As the study shows, a group of proteins in the nucleus regulates cognitive abilities. A protein called SATB2 plays a key role. This protein binds to the DNA of the genetic material and thus determines the flow. This also explains why people carrying a mutation of this gene develop mental disabilities and learning disabilities. "By using modern biochemical methods, we have now identified a group of proteins that work with SATB2 in brain neurons," adds author of the study, Galina Apostolova.

Now comes a new generation of hyper-intelligent?

As part of the research, the study team made it clear that some variants of the identified genes were badociated with differences in human intelligence. This basic research contributes to a better understanding of higher brain functions. However, one can not expect an extremely intelligent design because, according to the current state of scientific knowledge, these genes are influenced only conditionally. "As many genes are involved, it seems impossible to manipulate intelligence at the molecular level," said Georg Dechant.

New treatments for psychiatric and neurological diseases

"Our findings are important in all cases for the development of new treatments for psychiatric or neurological diseases," said Dechant. In such diseases, there is often a degradation of cognitive performance. The results of the study are therefore of particular importance for the field of molecular psychiatry. (Vb)