biostudies-literatureRimfeld KEconomic and Social Research CouncilHHS | National Institutes of HealthNICHD NIH HHSEuropean Research CouncilMedical Research Council2777-2782https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5347574biostudies-literatureUnknown114(10)Spatial abilities encompass several skills differentiable from general cognitive ability (<i>g</i>). Importantly, spatial abilities have been shown to be significant predictors of many life outcomes, even after controlling for <i>g.</i> To date, no studies have analyzed the genetic architecture of diverse spatial abilities using a multivariate approach. We developed "gamified" measures of diverse putative spatial abilities. The battery of 10 tests was administered online to 1,367 twin pairs (age 19-21) from the UK-representative Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). We show that spatial abilities constitute a single factor, both phenotypically and genetically, even after controlling for <i>g</i> This spatial ability factor is highly heritable (69%). We draw three conclusions: (<i>i</i>) The high heritability of spatial ability makes it a good target for gene-hunting research; (<i>ii</i>) some genes will be specific to spatial ability, independent of <i>g</i>; and (<i>iii</i>) these genes will be associated with all components of spatial ability.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaPhenotypic and genetic evidence for a unifactorial structure of spatial abilities.PMC5347574R01 HD044454R01 HD059215HD044454166746914275891241769295366G0500079G0901245G19/2MR/M021475/11365137Dale PSKovas YRodic MRimfeld KSelzam SSchofield KMalanchini MPlomin RShakeshaft NGfalsePhenotypic and genetic evidence for a unifactorial structure of spatial abilities.Spatial abilities encompass several skills differentiable from general cognitive ability (<i>g</i>). Importantly, spatial abilities have been shown to be significant predictors of many life outcomes, even after controlling for <i>g.</i> To date, no studies have analyzed the genetic architecture of diverse spatial abilities using a multivariate approach. We developed "gamified" measures of diverse putative spatial abilities. The battery of 10 tests was administered online to 1,367 twin pairs (age 19-21) from the UK-representative Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). We show that spatial abilities constitute a single factor, both phenotypically and genetically, even after controlling for <i>g</i> This spatial ability factor is highly heritable (69%). We draw three conclusions: (<i>i</i>) The high heritability of spatial ability makes it a good target for gene-hunting research; (<i>ii</i>) some genes will be specific to spatial ability, independent of <i>g</i>; and (<i>iii</i>) these genes will be associated with all components of spatial ability.2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Mar2026-05-05T07:22:50.712Z2019-03-27T02:38:29ZS-EPMC53475742822347810.1073/pnas.1607883114