Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may be associated with worse brain health, according to research presented in a study. Researchers analyzed residents of areas with different levels of socioeconomic deprivation and compared brain health indicators between these groups.
The results revealed that residents of the most deprived areas had a higher brain age, meaning their brain appeared to be more aged than their chronological age. Additionally, a smaller total brain volume was identified in these residents, an indicator of brain tissue loss.
Researchers also detected more signs of vascular lesions in the brains of residents of the most disadvantaged areas. These vascular lesions are often associated with blood circulation problems in the brain and can contribute to cognitive decline and other neurological complications. The study thus suggests a possible link between the socioeconomic conditions of the place of residence and long-term brain health.
