Socioeconomic Disparities Could Diminish Brain Health: Research Findings
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New Delhi, Dec 27 (NationPress) Socio-economic disparities may trigger modifications in brain structure and connectivity associated with ageing and dementia, as revealed by a study published on Friday.
The research, conducted by an international group of scientists from Trinity College Dublin, discovered that elevated levels of inequality correlate with diminished brain volume.
Furthermore, it can result in impaired connectivity, particularly in the temporo-posterior and cerebellar regions—vital areas for memory and cognitive function.
The results also indicated that individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease experience the most pronounced effects.
This implies that environmental factors associated with structural inequality may intensify neurodegeneration in aging populations.
In contrast, the researchers noted less severe effects in frontotemporal lobar degeneration, potentially due to a more substantial genetic impact.
“Reduced brain volume and connectivity are often observed in dementia patients and are linked to disease progression and severity,” stated the research team in the publication in the journal Nature Aging.
Significantly, the researchers identified a correlation even after adjusting for individual factors such as education, age, sex, and cognitive ability. This highlights the independent influence of macro-level factors on brain health.
“This study underscores the essential role of structural inequality in influencing brain health,” remarked Dr. Agustín Ibanez, a professor specializing in global brain health at Trinity College.
“Given that dementia rates are particularly high in low- and middle-income countries, our findings stress the necessity for targeted interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of brain health disparities, which seem to vary by region,” Ibanez added.
The results emphasize the importance of integrating social and physical factors, along with individual social determinants of health, into global brain health research.
These factors could encompass variables such as democratic governance, air pollution, migration, climate change, and access to green spaces.
Identifying and tackling these region-specific factors could pave the way for targeted interventions that may alleviate accelerated brain ageing and lessen the dementia burden in underprivileged communities.
