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A QUANTITATIVE GENETIC ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE ABILITIES DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE LIFE SPAN
N.L. Pedersen, 1, 2 R. Plomin, 1 J.R. Nesselroade, 3 G.E. McClearn 1
  1 Center for Developmental and Health Genetics, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University   2 Institute of Environmental Medicine, The Karolinska Institute   3 Department of Psychology, University of Virginia
Correspondence to  Nancy L. Pedersen, Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, The Karolinska Institute. Box 60208. S-10401 Stockholm, Sweden.
Copyright 1992 American Psychological Society

ABSTRACT

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Little is known about the importance of genetic effects on individual differences in cognitive abilities late in life. We present the first report from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) for cognitive data, including general cognitive ability and 13 tests of specific cognitive abilities. The adoption/twin design consists of identical twins separated at an early age and reared apart (46 pairs), identical twins reared together (67 pairs), fraternal twins reared apart (100 pairs), and fraternal twins reared together (89 pairs); average age was 65 years. Heritability of general cognitive ability in these twins was much higher (about 80%) than estimates typically found earlier in life (about 50%). Consistent with the literature, heritabilities of specific cognitive abilities were lower than the heritability of general cognitive ability but nonetheless substantial. Average heritabilities for verbal, spatial, perceptual speed, and memory tests were, respectively. 58%, 46%, 58%. and 38%.

(Received 7/8/91; Revision Accepted 2/21/92)

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)
10.1111/j.1467-9280.1992.tb00045.x About DOI

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