Born Smart

The Nurture vs. nature debate continues and although the majority of people believe that nurture is more important than nature, there are more and more evidence emerging that intelligence is inherited.

The latest finding in a string of interesting studies on the human brain showed that intelligence is strongly influenced by the integrity of the brain’s wiring. The quality of the brain’s axons (thickness of the myelin that encases the neurons) determines the speed messages are sent throughout the brain.

Faster signaling indicate higher IQ and slower signaling lower IQ, the quality of these axons are genetic.
Another study measured the thickness of the cortical grey matter of the brain and also linked this to higher intelligence, speculating that cortical thickness could reflect more complex connections between nerve cells.

A third study on astrocytes, addressed an area in the brain largely ignored by scientists because up until recently they lacked the technology to research these areas in the brain. Neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard M.D. from University of Rochester Medical Center devised a new way to listen for astrocyte activity by measuring the amount of calcium inside the cells. Although astrocytes function slower than neurons Nedergaard argues that it may be able to process information and memories in a more sophisticated manner.

Nedergaard said “…our study suggests that astrocytes are part of the higher cognitive functioning that defines who we are as humans.” Quantity of astrocytes is also associated with IQ, more indicating higher IQ and less lower IQ. We can also speculate that quality will also be a determining factor. Richard Haier of the University of California Irvine said “Just because intelligence is strongly genetic, that doesn’t mean it cannot be improved. It’s just the opposite, if it’s genetic, it’s biochemical and we have all kinds of ways of influencing biochemistry.”

What this means is that if your child is struggling with his maths, your first step in helping him/her is to check their diet. Genes are influenced by food and by cutting out fast foods, soda’s (diet and sugary drinks) fatty foods, high glycemic carbohydrates, including brain foods in their diet and cleaning up his environment etc. you may be able to save yourself a stack of money in maths tutoring. Does this let you off the hook during pregnancy, definitely not; you can help your child develop the best possible brain that he can, by creating the right conditions during your pregnancy. Even if you can biochemically alter genes after birth, it would be highly unlikely that you will ever again in your child’s life, have as much of an influence on his genes, as you do while you are pregnant.

We know that the dopamine D1 receptors that promote memory can be increased by strenuous learning. However if you want your child to be able to think outside the box, to have creative mental capabilities that surpass that of the reciting of encyclopedias, you can begin to help them achieve this during your pregnancy.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090317142841.htm”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323134311.htm”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325132531.htm”