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Study links low childhood IQ to later dementia

26/06/2008

Children with a low IQ level are more likely to develop a form of dementia in later life than children with a high IQ, new research has suggested.

Scientists behind the study from the University of Edinburgh say the findings suggest that interventions to lower dementia risk factors early in life targeted to those with a lower IQ could reduce the numbers of people developing dementia in old age.

It is estimated that the vascular dementia - the form studied - affects about 112,000 people in the UK.

Researchers based at the University of Edinburgh compared the records of 173 people who participated in the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932, when almost every child aged 11 years in Scotland took a mental ability test, and who later developed dementia.

This group was compared to one set of control participants of the same age and gender.

The researchers found that the people with vascular dementia were 40 per cent more likely to have low test scores when they were children than the people who did not develop dementia.

This difference was not true for those with Alzheimer's disease.

Lead researcher Dr Brian McGurn said: "Our work suggests a possible link between mental ability in early life and risk of developing vascular dementia.

"The unique data available from the Scottish Mental Survey means the link can be demonstrated independent of factors like socio-economic status and education."

Study author John Starr added: "These results point to the importance of reducing the vascular risk factors that can lead to strokes and dementia. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking."

Commenting on the study, Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This research confirms that vascular risk factors are very important in tackling dementia.

"If we live a healthier lifestyle and reduce our risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol and don't smoke, then this gives us a much better chance of avoiding dementia later in life."