Having an inflamed brain has been linked to depression SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

There’s more to intelligence than smarts. A high IQ seems to protect the brain from some of the effects of inflammation, including signs of depression. But the effect is only seen in men – perhaps due to hormonal differences.

Inflammation – a heightened state of immune activity – has increasingly been linked to mental health in recent years. Studies have found that people with depression or schizophrenia seem to have higher levels of inflammatory proteins in their bodies, and anti-inflammatory drugs are currently being trialled for both conditions.

But not …