British scientists have discovered that
intelligence can reduce the severity of such disorders as
schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and depression.
Previous research has shown that intelligence can protect you against dementia and the consequences of head injury.
However, Cambridge University researchers have discovered that
intelligence can also buffer the consequences of neuropsychiatry
disorders such as schizophrenia.
They have demonstrated that the symptoms of schizophrenia are less
severe and the ability to function in daily living is better for those
with a higher IQ.
In their recent paper, published in Psychological Medicine, they
reviewed the literature from a wide range of disorders and found
evidence that intelligence, also termed ‘cognitive reserve’, made
people more resilient to disabilities arising from these disorders.
Fortunately, cognitive reserve can be strengthened through
education, neurocognitive activation (sudoku, crosswords, etc), or
other treatment programmes, they say.
It may also be possible to improve cognitive reserve through the use of cognition-enhancing drugs, the research team added.
Lead researcher Jennifer Barnett said: “Cognitive reserve may
greatly improve our understanding of individual differences in the
causes and consequences of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric
disorders.”
Professor Barbara Sahakian, a member of the research team, added:
“We are very excited about these novel results. We have known for some
time that it is important to ‘use it or lose it’ with regard to ageing
and dementia, but it now seems that this concept applies more widely.”
The researchers said they hoped that techniques that improve
cognitive reserve will also alleviate some of the financial and
personal costs of ageing and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Schizophrenia affects one in a hundred people and is a devastating
disorder for most people who are afflicted. In 2002, the overall U.S.
cost of schizophrenia was estimated to be $62.7bn.
By Nick Gibbens
999today.com