Investigators at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research discovered dozens of new genetic variations associated with a person’s general cognitive ability. The findings, which were published online today in Cell Reports, have the potential to help researchers develop more targeted treatment for cognitive and memory disorders.

“For the first time, we were able to use genetic information to point us towards specific drugs that might aid in cognitive disorders of the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” said Todd Lencz, PhD, senior author of the study and professor at the Feinstein Institute and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

While profiling cognitive ability, researchers also discovered a genetic overlap with longevity. They found when examining an individual’s family that a genetic predisposition towards higher cognitive ability was associated with longer lifespan. A new genetic overlap between cognitive ability and risk for autoimmune disease was also identified. (1)

Living longer. When understanding more.

But living is not related to being wise.

Wise men lived a very short life.

Understanding makes you blend in better with the cosmos.

But what if the cosmos you see is not real?

What if living more is not the ultimate goal?

You try to understand things. To live more.

But you do not understand why you live in the first place.

You want to be immortal.

But you are you only because you die…

Cast away your fear. Accept your nature.

It is hard. But you must understand it.

Without understanding anything…