Low cholesterol levels in children predict impulsivity in young adulthood

Low cholesterol levels in children predict impulsivity in young adulthood

Severe behavioural issues such as impulsive action and suicide have since long been associated with low levels of cholesterol. While it is known that cholesterol plays a role in neural development and hence low levels of serum lipids could have long-term effects on behaviour, no longitudinal studies showed the association of serum lipids levels with impulsivity.
Based on data collected in the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS) we were able to study the association between cholesterol levels in the blood and impulsivity at the ages of 9, 15, 18 and 25 years. Impulsivity can be considered as adaptive impulsivity (excitement seeking, fast decision making) and maladaptive impulsivity (thoughtlessness).
We found that in males, impulsivity in adulthood is predicted already by low cholesterol levels in childhood, especially with maladaptive aspects of impulsivity. Read more about our findings in NewBrainNutrition blog and our article in Acta Neuropsychiatrica.