A recent study published in Nature Aging reveals a concerning connection between socioeconomic status and brain health. Researchers found that individuals from poorer communities or nations are more likely to experience brain shrinkage with age and disrupted connectivity between brain regions crucial for memory and thinking.
The study, which analyzed brain scans from over 2,100 people in the United States and Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico, uncovered a stark reality: the greater the inequality between rich and poor in a nation, the higher the likelihood of reduced brain volume and connectivity among its residents.
These findings held true regardless of factors such as age, sex, educational level, or cognitive ability, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of societal disparities on brain health. Notably, the pattern was more pronounced and widespread in Latin America compared to the United States.
Agustín Ibáñez, a professor in global brain health at Trinity College Dublin, emphasized the critical role of structural inequality in shaping brain health. He pointed out that dementia rates are rising particularly in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of these disparities.
The research suggests that living in a context of aggregate inequality affects brain health regardless of an individual’s specific socioeconomic level. This puts people from poorer communities at an increased risk of degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
As researchers call for future studies to explore the biological mechanisms linking inequality to aging and neurodegeneration, the findings pave the way for a deeper understanding of how societal factors influence brain health and the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
See: “Brain Volume, Health Linked to Socioeconomic Status” (January 6, 2025)
