Rare Blood Type Linked to Memory Loss, Study Finds

Our blood type can certainly affect receiving and giving organs. However, recent findings published in the journal Neurology show that people with blood type AB are also more likely to develop memory issues later in life.

"Our study looks at blood type and risk of cognitive impairment, but several studies have shown that factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia," said study author Mary Cushman, MD, MSc, of the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, in a news release. "Blood type is also related to other vascular conditions like stroke, so the findings highlight the connections between vascular issues and brain health. More research is needed to confirm these results."

Findings revealed that as the AB blood type remains the least common found in the U.S. population at around roughly 4 percent, this was also the most common to cause thinking and cognitive problems in people that could increase the risk of dementia over other blood types.

Furthermore, 6 percent of the AB blood type group involved in the study developed cognitive impairment, which was much higher than the average 4 percent of the population.

The study also examined blood levels of factor VIII, which is known as a protein that helps blood to clot. Findings revealed that high levels of factor VIII are related to higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

"Blood type is also related to other vascular conditions like stroke, so the findings highlight the connections between vascular issues and brain health," Cushman concluded, via Fox News. "More research is needed to confirm these results."