Increased risk of schizophrenia linked to lower IQ: University of Edinburgh

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh found evidence that lower IQ can result in an increased risk of schizophrenia. Genetic risk of schizophrenia increases with lower IQ among those who did not develop the disorder.

Even though the scientists could not clearly point out the relation between low intelligence quotient (IQ) and schizophrenia, but certain evidences were found. Schizophrenia is primarily linked with cognitive impairments which can lead to functional disability.

Reduction in the cognitive ability can lead to onset of the schizophrenia symptoms. These deficits could also be found in healthy relatives of the people diagnosed with the disease.

The authors of the study analysed data from 937 people in Scotland. These people first completed IQ testing in 1947, when they were 11 years of age. They were retested at the age of 70 and the DNA was analysed for estimating the genetic risk for schizophrenia.

In the research, it was found that people who had higher genetic risk for the disease had lower IQ at 70 years of age, but not at the age of 11 years.