This is the impact of childhood on intelligence in adulthood, according to a study

Led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, thestudy of the Lothian Birth Cohorts followed hundreds of people born in 1921 and 1936. These participants were assessed regularly, from the age of 11 until they were 70, 80, and even 90 years old. The conclusions are striking: around 50% of our intelligence at an advanced age is already predetermined by our cognitive abilities during childhood.

Think of your intelligence as a cognitive savings account. What you accumulate in your youth serves as a foundation for the rest of your life. Of course, life experiences can increase or decrease this initial capital, but the imprint of childhood remains major. Thus, a person who obtained good test results at age 11 has a good chance of maintaining good cognitive performance decades later.

Factors influencing cognitive decline or maintenance

But what about the other half of the equation? The study identified various elements that impact our intelligence as we age. Some are within our control, such as maintaining regular physical activity, an active social life or abstaining from smoking. Others, like genetics, are beyond our control. However, each factor taken in isolation has a modest effect. There is no miracle solution to preserve our brain, but rather a combination of small positive actions.

Interestingly, researchers found that individuals with high childhood intelligence were more likely to adopt healthy, intellectually stimulating lifestyles throughout their lives. This suggests that our initial intelligence influences our life choices, which, in turn, affects our long-term cognitive health.

The aging brain

The study also revealed a dramatic variation in brain aging between individuals. At 73, some participants had brain scans similar to those of much younger people. This diversity helps explain why some people maintain remarkable mental alertness, while others experience a more pronounced decline.

On a genetic level, if certain genes play a role in cognitive aging, their effects remain complex and often minimal. A notable exception is the APOE e4 genetic variant, associated with lower cognitive performance in seniors, but without impact during childhood.