Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1921

On 1st June 1932, as part of the Scottish Mental Survey, 87,498 Scottish schoolchildren born in 1921 sat the same test of mental ability: the Moray House Test. In 1997, the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh began to search for men and women still living in Scotland who took part in these tests.
On 1st June 1998, about 80 individuals gathered in the Aberdeen Music Hall to re-sit the test exactly 66 years later. Participants were followed-up 5 times over a 10 year period.

Aberdeen University has followed all of the children born in Aberdeen in 1921, 1936 (see Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1936) and 1950-1956 (see Aberdeen Children of the 1950’s) as they grow and age.
Collectively these groups are known as the ABERDEEN BIRTH COHORTS, and have helped to advance our understanding of aging well.

Over the years, researchers have linked the results from these tests to health and social information.
The linked data has been used to answer questions like:
• Does being born very small affect mental health later in life?
• Is the risk of dementia related to childhood intelligence?
• What influences quality of life in old-age?
Participants born in 1921 and 1936 have been invited back for a wide variety of studies at the University. Similar research is being started for the Children of the 1950’s group.

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries United Kingdom
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 50,000 to 99,999
Ages 10 to 19
Brain related measures
Funtional rating
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical
Biological samples
Genotyping
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation
Institute names University of Aberdeen
Current Sample Sizes 50,000 to 99,999

age at recruitment 11
last updated
recruitment period 1st June 1932
estimated current sample size number value 80
cohort acronym ABC1921
start date 1st June 1932
pi Prof Alison Murray
website http://www.abdn.ac.uk/birth-cohorts/1921/
contact details Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1921 Study
University of Aberdeen
F04
Lilian Sutton Building
University of Aberdeen
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD
abstract  Aberdeen University has followed all of the children born in Aberdeen in 1921, 1936 (see Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1936) and 1950-1956 (see Aberdeen Children of the 1950’s) as they grow and age. ABC1921 recruited 87,498 participants.
funders  University of Aberdeen
contact email PI Email: [email protected]; PI Email: [email protected]
contact phone number Tel: +44 (0)1224 438353
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 87,498