Scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered that living in poverty can damage the structural connections of a child’s brain. Research published JAMA Network Open.
The study’s authors used data from nearly nine thousand children ages 9 to 10. Their health has been monitored for at least ten years.
The researchers found that in children living in poverty, the movement of water molecules in the white matter of the brain is difficult – this may be due to the appearance of structural barriers to the movement of water in them. Additionally, some areas of the brain had more fluid, which may indicate inflammation in the brain. In adults, chronic inflammation in the brain has previously been associated with dementia and other nervous system disorders.
“White matter integrity is crucial to brain development. Its decline is associated with visuospatial and mental health problems in children, ”explained the scientists.
Some changes in white matter found by the authors may lead to an increased risk of childhood obesity and decreased mental function. Scientists believe the latter is due in part to limited access to enriching sensory, social and mental stimulation for children living in poverty.
ancient scientists discoveredProviding low-income families with quality food may reduce the risk of obesity in children.