Memory loss in one's later years appears more likely in those with the AB blood type, says new research by the University of Vermont and published online in Neurology, journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

According to a university news release, AB is the least common of all blood types, found only in an estimated four percent of the United States population.

Led by Kristine Alexander, a postdoctoral fellow in medicine, and Mary Cushman, professor of medicine at the UV College of Medicine, the new study found people with AB blood were 82 percent more likely than those with other blood types to develop the same type of thinking and memory problems that often lead to dementia.

Prior studies have demonstrated people with type O blood have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, factors that can increase the risk of memory loss and dementia.

The latest research was part of a larger study of more than 30,000 people, who were tracked for an average of 3.4 years.

Of the study participants who reported no memory or thinking issues at the onset of the study, 495 ended up developing thinking and memory problems, or cognitive impairment, during the course of the research, while 587 subjects didn't develop any cognitive problems.

It was determined people with AB blood type comprised 6 percent of the group who developed cognitive impairment -- in fact higher than the typical 4 percent found in the general population.

"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," Alexander said in the 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."