The kidney and brain expressed protein (KIBRA) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. Carriers of the T allele of the KIBRA (WWC1) gene rs17070145 C/T polymorphism have been reported to have enhanced spatial ability and to outperform individuals with the CC genotype in working memory tasks. Since ability in chess and science is directly related to spatial ability and working memory, we hypothesized that the KIBRA T allele would be positively associated with chess player status and PhD status in science. We tested this hypothesis in a study involving 2479 individuals (194 chess players, 119 PhD degree holders in STEM fields, and 2166 controls; 1417 males and 1062 females) from three ethnicities (236 Kazakhs, 1583 Russians, 660 Tatars). We found that frequencies of the T allele were significantly higher in Kazakh (66.9 vs. 55.1%; p = 0.024), Russian (44.8 vs. 32.0%; p = 0.0027), and Tatar (51.5 vs. 41.8%; p = 0.035) chess players compared with ethnically matched controls (meta-analysis for CT/TT vs. CC: OR = 2.05, p = 0.0001). In addition, none of the international chess grandmasters (ranked among the 80 best chess players in the world) were carriers of the CC genotype (0 vs. 46.3%; OR = 16.4, p = 0.005). Furthermore, Russian and Tatar PhD holders had a significantly higher frequency of CT/TT genotypes compared with controls (meta-analysis: OR = 1.71, p = 0.009). Overall, this is the first study to provide comprehensive evidence that the rs17070145 C/T polymorphism of the KIBRA gene may be associated with ability in chess and science, with the T allele exerting a beneficial effect.

Background: Foreign language proficiency is a complex trait that reflects an individual’s ability to effectively understand and use a non-native language, shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between genetically determined memory capacity and self-reported foreign language proficiency in 129 children (63 males, 66 females, age 14.2 ± 3.9) and 128 adults (90 males, 38 females, age 29.8 ± 8.2). Methods: Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously linked with memory function were used in a polygenic analysis (CAMTA1 rs4908449, CLSTN2 rs6439886, COMT rs4680, CPEB3 rs11186856, SCN1A rs10930201, SNAP25 rs3746544, and WWC1 rs17070145). Self-reported foreign language proficiency was evaluated using a single-item question. Children’s level of immersion in foreign languages was divided into three categories: linguistic school, non-linguistic school with extra foreign language courses, and non-linguistic school without additional foreign language courses. Results: We found that genetically predicted memory capacity (i.e., number of memory-increasing alleles) was positively associated with self-reported foreign language proficiency in children (p = 0.0078 adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, verbal IQ, and level of immersion in foreign languages). When combined, genetically predicted memory capacity, age, sex, ethnicity, verbal IQ, and level of immersion in foreign languages explained 31.5% (p < 0.0001) of the variance in children’s self-reported foreign language proficiency. The association between genetically predicted memory capacity and self-reported foreign language proficiency was replicated in adults (p = 0.0158 adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity). Conclusions: Foreign language proficiency may partly depend on the presence of a high number of memory-increasing alleles in both children and adults.

Understanding the peculiarities of emotional intelligence (EI) in adolescents as the most important factor of social adaptation and human efficiency is the basis for the development of optimal strategies of formation and psychological correction for disorders of emotional and cognitive sphere. The aim of the work is to determine the characteristics of EI and emotion regulation (ER) in boys and girls at the age of 12-15 years with normal development. EI and ER were assessed in 54 adolescents using previously adapted validated questionnaires in Kazakh. The results of the study showed that the strategy of "reinterpretation" of emotions positively correlates with the level of emotional intelligence and prevails over the strategy of "suppression" of emotions in this age group. It has been revealed that EI indicators are significantly higher in girls compared to boys. Thus, the peculiarities of emotional intelligence indicators and preference for the strategy of emotion regulation in adolescence have been determined, which in the future when considering other age groups will help to understand the dynamics of development of emotional functions. The value of this result lies in determining the normative values of EI indicators to establish deviations from normal development. The revealed correlations of emotional intelligence and emotion regulation can serve as a basis for the development of effective approaches to emotion regulation. Key words: ontogenesis, adolescence, emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, gender.

Данная статья посвящена актуальной проблеме интегративного подхода в изучении когнитивных способностей с применением психофизиологических и психометрических методов. Рассмотрены результаты современных исследований когнитивных способностей, проведённые с использованием методов когнитивной нейронауки. Целью данного исследования является выявление возрастных особенностей когнитивных способностей, экзекутивного контроля и их взаимосвязь. В исследовании приняло участие 180 детей и подростков в возрасте от 7 до 20 лет в пяти возрастных группах детей и подростков (7-9 лет, 10-12 лет, 13-15 лет, 16-18 лет и 19-20 лет). Психометрические измерения показателей интеллекта проводилось с помощью методики Векслера Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – детская версия и Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -взрослая версия. Поведенческие исследования заключались в выполнении участниками теста нейросетей внимания (ТНВ) для определения показателей экзекутивного контроля, бдительности и ориентировки. Полученные данные показали возрастные особенности вербального/невербального интеллекта и общего интеллекта, которые свидетельствовали о процессе акселерации. Однако, не исключается возможность влияния выборок и использования двух адаптированных к определенному возрасту видов тестирования. Достоверные корреляции между отдельными субшкалами IQ и показателями ТНВ указывают на наличие влияния экзекутивного контроля на когнитивные способности. В то же время необходимо отметить, что конструкт интеллекта имеет свою специфику и сложность. Таким образом, исследование возрастных особенностей интеллекта обеспечивает новую перспективу для психологов и нейробиологов, позволяя комплексно подойти к вопросам развития и поддержки умственного потенциала на разных возрастных этапах. В рамках развития умственного потенциала возрастает актуальность исследования, которая заключается в необходимости более глубокого понимания возрастных особенностей интеллекта. Ключевые слова: когнитивные способности, внимание, экзекутивный контроль, ТНВ, IQ.