High childhood IQ linked to this mental illness

Professor Daniel Smith, in the Institute of Health & Wellbeing at Glasgow, said: “A possible link between bipolar disorder and intelligence and creativity has been discussed for many years and many studies have suggested a link”.

The study, carried out at the University of Glasgow, measured the IQ of a large group of people aged eight, who were then tested for manic traits aged 22 or 23.

Scientists at the Universities of Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff and Texas looked at data from the “Children of the 90s” birth cohort, officially called the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), and found that higher childhood IQ could indicate greater risk of bipolar disorder in adulthood.

Individuals who scored in the top 10 per cent of manic features had a mean childhood IQ which was nearly 10 points higher than those scoring in the lowest 10 per cent of manic features.

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High childhood IQ levels are linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder later in life, according to new research. This correlation was mostly seen among participants who had stronger verbal IQ.

“There is something about the genetics underlying the disorder that are advantageous”.

“A high IQ is not a clear-cut risk factor for bipolar, but perhaps the genes that confer intelligence can get expressed as illness in the context of other risk factors, such as exposure to maternal influenza in the womb or childhood sexual abuse”, Smith said.

One in every 100 adults in Britain can expect to be diagnosed with the disorder during their life, with it most often developing between the years of 18 and 24 – although it can occur at any age.

The results are consistent with previous research that suggests individuals with an increased genetic propensity to bipolar disorder were more likely to show a range of creative abilities, especially in areas where verbal proficiency may prove advantageous, such as in literature or leadership roles. ‘The sooner we can intervene in bipolar the better the outcome, ‘ Mr Smith said.

People with bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, suffer from extreme mood swings – facing switching periods of mania when they feel overactive, and depression. “Studies of this kind are also important in the battle to tackle stigma”, said Alison Cairns, Chief Executive of Bipolar Scotland.