Childhood IQ link to dementia risk

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A study by Edinburgh University found lower childhood intelligence increases the risk of vascular dementia, a disease affecting 112,000 people in the UK.

The results also suggest that introducing measures early in life to lower blood pressure and discourage smoking could help those with a lower IQ reduce the risk of developing the brain illness in later life.

Researchers compared the records of 173 people who took part in the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932, a mental ability test taken by almost every child aged 11 in Scotland.

They found that lower childhood IQ increased the risk of vascular dementia.

The condition, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking.

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

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

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."

The research, Childhood cognitive ability and risk of late-onset Alzheimer and vascular dementia, is published in the Neurology journal.