title: More symmetrical children have faster and more consistent choice reaction times.
abstract: Greater cognitive ability in childhood is associated with increased longevity, and speedier reaction time (RT) might account for much of this linkage. Greater bodily symmetry is linked to both higher cognitive test scores and faster RTs. It is possible, then, that differences in bodily system integrity indexed by symmetry may underlie the associations of RT and intelligence with increased longevity. However, RT and symmetry have seldom been examined in the same study, and never in children. Here, in 2 large samples aged 4 to 15 (combined n = 856), we found that more symmetrical children had significantly faster mean choice RT and less variability in RT. These associations of faster and less variable RT with greater symmetry early in life raise the possibility that the determinants of longevity in part originate in processes influencing bodily system integrity early in the life-course.
authors: Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hope
authors: Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh.
authors: Timothy C
authors: TC
authors: Bates
authors: Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh.
authors: Dominika
authors: D
authors: Dykiert
authors: Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh.
authors: Geoff
authors: G
authors: Der
authors: Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh.
authors: Ian J
authors: IJ
authors: Deary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*