Poor social and environmental conditions in the neighborhood can increase the risk of developing cortical thinning and circulatory problems. Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine came to this conclusion. The results of their study were published in Alzheimer's and Dementia. in Aging Behavior and Socio-Economics (A&D).
Researchers analyzed data from 679 adult participants in the Healthy Brain Study. Participants underwent brain MRI scans and blood tests to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This data was compared with three national indicators reflecting the level of poverty, air pollution and social vulnerability in their neighbourhoods.
Participants living in disadvantaged neighborhoods were found to be more prone to changes in brain structure associated with memory and cognitive decline. These changes included thinning of the cerebral cortex, white matter abnormalities, and decreased cerebral blood flow.
Simply put, the brain's white matter is the connecting highways that carry signals from the cerebral cortex to other parts of the brain and back. White matter consists of bundles of myelin-coated nerve fibers (axons). Myelin acts as an insulator, allowing electrical signals to "jump" rather than "pass" along the axon, increasing the speed at which nerve impulses are transmitted.
The authors of the study emphasize that access to clean air, safe housing and healthy food can play an important role in maintaining cognitive health. They believe that improving the urban environment should be considered a key factor in dementia prevention, along with chronic disease management and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Translation by Euromedia24.com
