RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the factors which influencing the intelligence in elderly in a community, so as to provide reference on primary prevention of dementia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A door to door survey was conducted. A total number of 830 elderly were assessed using WAIS-RC, H-NTLA and data collected through questionnaires on lifestyles, family and social activity were analysed, using the factor analysis, stepwise regression and canonical correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The main variables related to the verbal were eggs diet, blood pressure, fruit, visit their children, alcohol intake (standard coefficients of regression are -0.118, -0.079, -0.060, -0.036, -0.117, respectively). The main variables related to cognition were recreation, sports and hereditary history of mental disorders (standard coefficients of regression were 0.035, -0.127, respectively). The main variables related to memory were contact to chemical materials, age of their parents during delivery, alcohol intake and the relationship between husband and wife (standard coefficients of regression were -0.063, 0.055, -0.030, -0.037, respectively). The variables related to canonical variable V(1) would include education and occupation (canonical correlation = 0.5993, P = 0.0001) while V(2) would include cerebrovascular accident (canonical correlation = 0.3925, P = 0.0005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intelligent work, family harmony, prevention of cerebrovascular diseases were the main areas to prevent intellectual disability in the elderly.</p>