Enjoyed the August 2011 Neuropod(cast) on the topic of genetics and intelligence. There is no mention of a major “intelligence gene” (the author suggests there should be, rather, hundreds of very weak, small-effect genetic factors) but the author does point to their finding of a gene FNBP1L that plays a role in the regulation of actin polymerization. Why might the polymerization of actin matter? The video below from Tom Bartol and colleagues shows just how wildly intertwined and elaborate synaptic connections can be. The formation of this synaptic spaghetti is dependent on actin polymerization! Mo’ spaghetti, mo’ smarts?
More on genes and intelligence here and here.
Genes 2 Brains 2 Mind 2 Me 
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