Study Indicates Poverty Speeds Up Brain Aging

Researchers have identified a correlation between lower household income and accelerated degradation of the white matter in the brain. While the levels of this white matter naturally decrease as individuals age, residing in poverty appears to hasten this decline.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Lausanne and the University of Geneva in Switzerland, involved analyzing 751 individuals aged 50 to 91.

After adjusting for variables such as age, gender, and certain health factors, the researchers observed that individuals from lower-income households exhibited more pronounced signs of white matter aging in brain MRI scans and performed less well on cognitive assessments compared to those from wealthier households.

Exploring the Interplay of Socioeconomic Factors with Brain Microstructure and Cognitive Function

The researchers aimed to shed light on the connections between socioeconomic factors such as household income, occupational status, and life-long socioeconomic trajectories with brain microstructure and cognitive function in middle to late adulthood.

White matter plays a crucial role in transmitting messages and signals within the brain, and its quantity significantly influences cognitive function. Persistent exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage, or poverty, has been linked to deteriorating health and accelerated cognitive decline.

In this study, researchers sought to investigate the underlying mechanisms of this association.

They discovered that factors such as neurite density, which refers to the number of fibers extending from each neuron, and the degree of myelination, which is the protective coating around these fibers, appeared to contribute to the accelerated deterioration of white matter in individuals experiencing chronic socioeconomic disadvantage.

Previous studies investigating the relationship between brain structure and socioeconomic status primarily focused on overall brain volume. With the identification of finer structural associations, researchers can now delve deeper into the potential underlying mechanisms.

This study explored the impact of myelin presence and neuron branch density on the movement of molecules, primarily water, within the brain, known as mean diffusivity, underscoring their importance in brain function.

Socioeconomic Status as a Protective Factor Against Cognitive Decline

Interestingly, individuals from higher-income households exhibited preserved cognitive performance despite higher mean diffusivity, lower myelination, or lower neurite density.

This suggests that higher socioeconomic status may serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline, independent of observed physical changes.

While this study did not explore all possible social and environmental factors affecting white matter, such as depression, it underscores the broader correlation between financial well-being and overall health.

Moving forward, further research is needed to explore this relationship in larger and more diverse populations, spanning broader economic disparities.

“The researchers assert that these discoveries offer an intricate neurobiological comprehension of the variances in brain anatomy attributed to socioeconomic factors and their correlation with cognitive abilities.”

Read the original article on: Science Alert

Read more: How the Brain Decodes Speech: Special Neurons Process Specific Sounds