Place of residence linked to brain disease risk 0 540

Researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine (USA) have found that the social and environmental conditions of a person's neighborhood can directly affect brain health and the risk of developing dementia. The results of the study were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia (A&D): Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging.

The researchers analyzed data from 679 adult participants in the Healthy Brain Study project, who underwent MRI scans of the brain and blood tests to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This data was compared with three national indices reflecting the socio-economic and environmental conditions.

It was found that people living in areas with high levels of poverty, air pollution, and social vulnerability more frequently exhibited brain changes associated with memory decline and cognitive function impairment. Among these signs were thinning of the cerebral cortex, white matter abnormalities, and worsened cerebral blood flow. A particularly strong correlation was observed among participants of African American descent living in the most disadvantaged areas.

The authors emphasized that the conditions in which a person lives, including access to clean air, safe housing, and healthy nutrition, can leave a significant mark on brain health. They believe that improving the quality of the urban environment should be considered as one of the ways to prevent dementia, alongside a healthy lifestyle and management of chronic diseases.