Genetic Polymorphisms Related to Testosterone Metabolism in Intellectually Gifted Boys

Abstract

Prepubertal testosterone levels are lower in intellectually gifted boys. The aim of this pilot study was to analyze potential genetic factors related to testosterone metabolism in control and gifted boys. Intellectually gifted (IQ>130; n = 95) and control (n = 67) boys were genotyped. Polymorphisms of interests were chosen in genes including androgen and estrogen receptors, 5-alpha reductase, aromatase and sex hormone binding globulin. Significant differences between control and gifted boys in genotype distributions were found for ESR2 (rs928554) and SHBG (rs1799941). A significantly lower number of CAG repeats in the AR gene were found in gifted boys. Our results support the role of genetic factors related to testosterone metabolism in intellectual giftedness. Increased androgen signaling might explain previous results of lower testosterone levels in intellectually gifted boys and add to the understanding of variability in cognitive abilities.

Evaluating the genetic effects of sex hormone on the development of mental traits: a polygenic score analysis and genome-wide genetic interaction analysis in the UK Biobank cohort

“…Similarly, André Aleman et al [50] found the signi cant correlation of SHBG with the uid intelligence. Besides, signi cant difference in genotype distributions of SHBG (rs1799941) was found between control and intellectually gifted boys [51]. No association was observed between smoking status and SHBG in this study, which was consistent with previous study nding [47].…”

Differences in salivary testosterone, digit ratio and empathy between intellectually gifted and control boys

“…Shorter alleles are known to have a higher DNA binding activity resulting in a stronger androgen signaling (Ding, Xu, Menon, Reddy, & Barrack, 2004). Our previous research on 95 gifted boys indicated lower number of CAG repeats in gene encoding AR in gifted (Celec et al, 2013). Although the difference in average number of repeats is rather small, it is statistically significant and points towards more sensitive AR in gifted individuals suggesting potential biological explanation of the relationship between testosterone and intelligence.…”

“…Higher prenatal testosterone doses can make brain more sensitive to the activational effects later in person's life. Alternatively, enhanced bio-potency of AR can partly explain lower testosterone levels observed in gifted boys (Celec et al, 2013;Ostatnikova et al, 2007). Shorter alleles are known to have a higher DNA binding activity resulting in a stronger androgen signaling (Ding, Xu, Menon, Reddy, & Barrack, 2004).…”

“…Significantly lower number of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor (AR) gene in gifted indicates stronger androgen signaling in this group (Celec et al, 2013). It was suggested it might compensate lower salivary testosterone levels detected in gifted (Ostatnikova et al, 2007).…”

Spatial abilities are not related to testosterone levels and variation in the androgen receptor in healthy young men

“…1B). Our previous research indicated the association between functional polymorphism of the AR gene and intellectual giftedness in boys, but a number of CAG repeats was not correlated with any cognitive skills (Celec et al 2013), however, authors revealed significant lower numbers of CAG repeats in gifted boys compared to controls. These results point towards a potential biological explanation of the relationship between testosterone and intelligence.…”