Abstract
We conducted a genome-wide meta-analysis of cognitive empathy using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (Eyes Test) in 88,056 Caucasian research participants (44,574 females and 43,482 males) from 23andMe Inc., and an additional 1,497 Caucasian participants (891 females and 606 males) from the Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study (BLTS). We confirmed a female advantage on the Eyes Test (Cohens d = 0.21, P < 0.001), and identified a locus in 3p26.1 that is associated with scores on the Eyes Test in females (rs7641347, Pmeta = 1.57 x 10-8). Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) explained 20% of the twin heritability and 5.6% (± 0.76 ; P = 1.72 x 10-13) of the total trait variance in both sexes. Finally, we identified significant genetic correlation between the Eyes Test and measures of empathy (the Empathy Quotient), openness (NEO-Five Factor Inventory), and different measures of educational attainment and cognitive aptitude, and show that the genetic determinants of striatal volumes (caudate nucleus, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) are positively correlated with the genetic determinants of performance on the Eyes Test.
- Posted October 19, 2016.