Yes, meningitis, particularly bacterial meningitis, has been shown to affect IQ.
The Impact of Bacterial Meningitis on Cognitive Function
Research indicates that survivors of bacterial meningitis can experience a reduction in their intellectual capabilities. Specifically, studies have found that survivors of bacterial meningitis had an approximately 5 point reduction in IQ compared with healthy controls. This cognitive deficit was consistent across different types of organisms causing the infection.
Understanding the Cognitive Changes
The IQ reduction observed in individuals who have recovered from bacterial meningitis is a significant finding. This decrease is not only measured in absolute IQ points but also in terms of standard deviation, providing a clearer picture of the extent of the impact on a population level.
Key findings regarding the impact of bacterial meningitis on IQ include:
- IQ Point Reduction: Survivors of bacterial meningitis experienced an approximate 5-point reduction in IQ.
- Standard Deviation Equivalent: This 5-point drop is equivalent to a 0.33 standard deviation (SD) reduction in IQ. A standard deviation is a measure of the dispersion of a set of values, meaning this reduction represents a measurable shift in cognitive ability relative to the general population.
- Consistency Across Organisms: The deficit was observed to be similar regardless of the specific bacterial organism that caused the meningitis.
This evidence, documented as of August 24, 2017, underscores the potential long-term neurological consequences of bacterial meningitis, impacting cognitive functions such as overall intelligence.
