Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations
Published on: November 3, 2010
Common genetic variants explain the majority of the correlation between height and intelligence: the generation
Riccardo E Marioni1, G David Batty, Caroline Hayward
1Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK, riccardo.marioni@ed.ac.uk.
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.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Polygenic Traits
Polygenic Traits
Biological Influences on Intelligence
Nature and Nurture
Heritability
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...

