Researchers Discover 40 More Genes for Intelligence

They studied databases covering more than 78,000 adults and children — all of them of European descent

Researchers found 40 new genes linked with intelligence Monday in study, but they say their finding doesn't show any clear genetic pattern for intelligence, NBC News reported. 

Instead, it shows that intelligence is possibly even more complex than anyone thought, and not easily explained. And it means specially designed smart babies are not in anyone's near future.

The study pointed to 52 genes that influence intelligence, some of them previously identified. Yet they account for less than 5 percent of the variation in human intelligence, the research team reports in the journal Nature Genetics.

Many of the genes have other known roles as well, although most are involved in brain development, the international team of researchers found.

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