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Old Dad, Poor Brain

Children born to older dads fare worse on memory, learning tests, study finds

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2009 4:44 AM CDT

(Newser) – Children born to older dads tend to do worse on memory, learning and concentration tests than babies of older moms, researchers have found, reports the BBC. Scientists speculate that the poorer performance may be linked to damaging sperm mutations over time that affect babies who are conceived later in life. The study is one of several beginning to unravel the effects that older fathers have on offspring.

"Given the trend toward older maternal and paternal ages in the developing world, policy-makers may want to consider promoting an awareness of the risks to children with delayed fatherhood," warned the lead researcher.

[Images (2)]

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Researchers have found that children born to older fathers tend to do more poorly on memory, learning and concentration tests. (©ephotography)

It might be time for developing countries to warn parents not to wait to late to have kids, advises the lead researcher. (©RcktManIL)

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The author's observation that neurocognitive outcomes is also reduced in the children of older fathers provides a further piece of evidence to remind us that nature intended us to have our children earlier in our lives.
- Fertility expert Dr. Allan Pacey

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Old Dad, Poor Brain