Mitochondria as the Linchpin of General Intelligence and the Link between g, Health, and Aging.

David C Geary

doi:10.3390/jintelligence7040025

Abstract

In a recent theoretical article, I proposed that the efficiency of mitochondrial functioning is the most fundamental biological mechanism contributing to individual differences in general intelligence (g; Geary, 2018). The hypothesis accommodates other contributing mechanisms at higher levels of analysis (e.g., brain networks), and is attractive because mitochondrial energy production undergirds the developmental, maintenance, and expression of these other mechanisms and provides a means to link individual differences in g to individual differences in health and successful aging in adulthood. I provide a brief summation here and a few clarifications to the original article.

Highlights

In a recent theoretical article, I proposed that the efficiency of mitochondrial functioning is the most fundamental biological mechanism contributing to individual differences in general intelligence (g; Geary, 2018)
I suggested that g is best conceptualized as a group of cognitive and neural functions that are all undergirded by one evolutionarily old, fundamental function [10]; the efficiency of various mitochondrial processes, especially the production of cellular energy
Variation in the efficiency of the initial pool of mitochondria will be expressed throughout the body and will contribute to limited pool

Summary

Introduction

In a recent theoretical article, I proposed that the efficiency of mitochondrial functioning is the most fundamental biological mechanism contributing to individual differences in general intelligence (g; Geary, 2018). On this mitochondrial energy production or the mechanisms that protect mitochondria from degradation will view, subtle variation – either due to genetics [20] or experiences

Results

Conclusion