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Behavior Genetics of Cognition across the Lifespan presents the state of the field in well-documented detail as noted experts examine gene-environment interactions in cognitive function from childhood into old age.

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Along with psychopathology, cognition has been one of the primary phenotypic focal points of the field of behavior genetics since its inception. Francis Galton´s 1874 examination of eminent families in Britain was among the earliest attempts to investigate whether cognitive achievements run in families. This volume presents current methodologies for understanding cognitive abilities that move beyond the outdated nature vs. nurture paradigm. Recent advances in both collection and statistical modeling of twin data, particularly longitudinal twin data, make this an especially advantageous moment to produce a work that presents a collection of the groundbreaking research on cognitive abilities across the lifespan. This volume presents an overview of the current state of quantitative and molecular genetic investigations into the many facets of cognitive performance and functioning across the lifespan._

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Part I: Childhood.- 1.Cognitive abilities in childhood and adolescence.-2.Interactions between socioeconomic status and components of variation in cognitive ability.-3.Genetic and environmental influences on intellectual disability in childhood.- Part II: Adulthood.- 4.Cognition in middle adulthood.-5.Normative cognitive aging.- 6.Gene by environment interplay in cognitive aging.- 7.Dementia: Genes, environments, interactions.- Part III: Biology and Neurobiology.- 8.Brain imaging and cognition.- 9.Animal models of general cognitive ability for genetic research into cognitive functioning.- Part IV: Conclusion.- 10.Future directions.-

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From the reviews:

"The intent is to provide a state-of-the-field look at the behavioral genetics of cognition in a much more advanced and fine-tuned manner across the lifespan in normal and abnormal cases. This book is intended for anyone interested in genetics, cognition, and development. This could include cognitive neuroscientists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, developmental psychologists, and others. ... For readers interested in behavioral genetics and cognitive function, this book provides a cogent, current review of the literature ... ." (Christopher J. Graver, Doody´s Book Reviews, May, 2014)

"The book is a useful starting point for students and researchers unfamiliar with the field and a valuable resource for scholars of human development, aging and cognition. It covers normal range cognition as well as intellectual disabilities in childhood and dementing disorders in later age. ... This book provides an excellent summary of how far we have come and how far is left to go." (Carol A. Prescott, Behavior Genetics, Vol. 44, 2014)

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