Old Dad, Poor Brain

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.
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