Lopez, Lorna M. and Mullen, William and Zürbig, Petra and Harris, Sarah E. and Gow, Alan J. and Starr, John M. and Porteous, David J. and Mischak, Harald and Deary, Ian J. (2011) A pilot study of urinary peptides as biomarkers for intelligence in old age. Intelligence, 39 (1). pp. 46-53. ISSN 01602896

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Abstract

Intelligence is an important indicator of physical, mental and social well-being. In old age, intelligence is also associated with a higher quality of life and better health. Heritability studies have shown that there are strong genetic influences, yet unknown, on intelligence, including in old age. Other approaches may be useful to investigate the biological foundations of intelligence differences. Proteomics is a proven technique in revealing biomarkers for certain illnesses. In this pilot study, forty individuals were selected as the cognitive extremes from over 750 people in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (age ~ 72 years) based on their high and low intelligence scores, as measured by a general cognitive ability factor. Urine samples were used as a stable, reliable and abundant source of proteins. Using capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-MS) technology, the proteome of the high and low intelligence groups was determined. Data were calibrated and matched against the human urinary database, to enable comparative assessment. At a nominal significance level (P < 0.05), there were several candidate proteins for association with intelligence, including a zinc finger protein (ZNF653) that has been associated with cognitive deficits, and complement C3 and collagen fragments that have been associated with Alzheimer's disease. Results are preliminary, do not survive multiple testing correction, and require validation. This pilot study shows the potential of this novel proteomics approach, and its applicability to understanding the biological foundations of intelligence differences.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Intelligence; Proteomics; Peptide; Protein; Ageing;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Human Health Institute
Item ID:	17398
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2010.11.001
Depositing User:	Lorna Lopez
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2023 15:40
Journal or Publication Title:	Intelligence
Publisher:	Elsevier
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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