The age of a father has already been linked to schizophrenia and autism but now research published in the Achives of General Psychiatry also suggests a link to bipolar disorder.

A woman is born with all her eggs but a man makes new sperm throughout their life and as a man ages the chances of a DNA copy error appear to increase and this is believed to explain why the children of men over the age of 55 are 1.37 times more likely to have bipolar disorder compared to children of a father between 20 and 24 years of age.

This is interesting research particularly as few risks factors for bipolar disorder have been previously identified. No doubt the research in this area will also lead to future suggestions of links between various disorders and the age of the father. 

Link to BBC story: Older fathers linked with bipolar
Link to original article: Advancing Paternal Age and Bipolar Disorder (subscription or payment required)