title: Advanced paternal age is associated with impaired neurocognitive outcomes during infancy and childhood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advanced paternal age (APA) is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, as well as with dyslexia and reduced intelligence. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between paternal age and performance on neurocognitive measures during infancy and childhood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A sample of singleton children (n = 33,437) was drawn from the US Collaborative Perinatal Project. The outcome measures were assessed at 8 mo, 4 y, and 7 y (Bayley scales, Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, Graham-Ernhart Block Sort Test, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wide Range Achievement Test). The main analyses examined the relationship between neurocognitive measures and paternal or maternal age when adjusted for potential confounding factors. Advanced paternal age showed significant associations with poorer scores on all of the neurocognitive measures apart from the Bayley Motor score. The findings were broadly consistent in direction and effect size at all three ages. In contrast, advanced maternal age was generally associated with better scores on these same measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The offspring of older fathers show subtle impairments on tests of neurocognitive ability during infancy and childhood. In light of secular trends related to delayed fatherhood, the clinical implications and the mechanisms underlying these findings warrant closer scrutiny.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Richlands, Australia.
authors.forename: Sukanta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Adrian G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foldi
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Burne
authors.forename: Darryl W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Eyles
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Buka
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010331:Paternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult