Systematic Review on the Impact of Intelligence on Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Thomas Lachmann²  Francisca S. Rodriguez³ 

[1] Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany;Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija, Madrid, Spain;Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany;RG Psychosocial Epidemiology and Public Health, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, Germany;

关键词: intelligence;    dementia;    cognitive aging;    Alzheimer disease;    review;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00658

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that an intellectually stimulating lifestyle is associated with a lower risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). It is unclear so far whether higher intelligence may protect against this. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association between intelligence and cognitive decline and ADRD risk.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, web of science, and Scopus databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) criteria. Quality of evidence was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists.ResultsFrom an initial n=8,371 search hits, n= 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and had sufficient quality. Evidence indicates that cognitive decline in old age is not significantly associated with childhood intelligence (n=9). Evidence with regard to ADRD risk is inconclusive (n=5) with some studies showing no effects and other studies with significant effects having limitations in their design.ConclusionsEven though the majority of the studies show no significant association, we cannot exclude a possible effect that might be moderated by other, so far unknown factors. Further studies are necessary to systematically assess the influence of intelligence on ADRD risk and what factors moderate this association.

【 授权许可】

Unknown