Greater risk of schizophrenia linked to lower IQs later in life
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013 11:00 AM

When individuals suffer from schizophrenia, they could also face a number of complications, such as depression and self-destructive behavior, according to the Mayo Clinic. Now, however, there is new research that shows those who carry the genes for schizophrenia could be at a higher risk of seeing their IQ decrease with age.

University of Edinburgh scientists found this to be true, even if these individuals do not develop schizophrenia. To arrive at these results, the researchers worked with data on 1,000 individuals from when they were 11 years old and around 70 years old. In addition, they were able to calculate the genetic likelihood that the subjects would develop schizophrenia.

After comparing these individuals' IQ scores, the researchers found that those who had a greater risk of developing schizophrenia also had lower IQs when they were around 70 years old.

"Retaining our thinking skills as we grow older is important for living well and independently," said Ian Deary, director of the University's Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology. "If nature has loaded a person's genes towards schizophrenia, then there is a slight but detectable worsening in cognitive functions between childhood and old age."

With this knowledge in mind, those who believe they could be at risk of developing schizophrenia may want to take an IQ test and see if there have been any noticeable changes in their cognitive function.