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Genes that influence health also have links with the way we think, according to a team of researchers from the University of Edinburg. The genes associated with illnesses such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and autism can also have an influence on some cognitive functions and give an insight into some links between poor health and low cognitive functioning.

The team thus used the national data resource of health and made comparisons of the mental data test of every individual in the resource to their genome. They found that some traits linked to illness as well as thinking influenced the same genetics.

To support their hypothesis, the scientists looked at earlier genetic studies focusing on mental and physical health factors such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and autism. They supported the hypotheses.

"In addition to there being shared genetic influences between cognitive skills and some physical and mental health states, the study also found that cognitive skills share genetic influences with brain size, body shape and educational attainments," Ian Deary, who participated in the research, said in a press release.

The research indicates that those who have better health show higher levels of intelligence. There is also an indication of the importance of further examination of the biological pathways influencing cognitive functioning and health.

The findings were published in the Jan. 26,2016 issue of Molecular Psychiatry.