Poverty can affect brain development

Research by American scientists found a direct link between family income, educational background and brain size of growing children and teens.

Economic conditions or family education platforms are linked to brain size

A team of experts led by Kimberly Noblem of Columbia University, Elizabeth Sowell, of Los Angeles, California, and US Children's Hospital plus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 1099 children and teenagers aged 3-20 .

Economic conditions or family education platforms are linked to brain size.

The MRI scan allows them to measure the cortical surface area, where the most advanced cognitive processes such as language, reading, and executive functions take place. Scientists choose to measure brain surface area because new research shows that brain surface area gradually increases throughout childhood and adolescence as the brain grows. This makes brain surface area an indicator of intellectual capacity.

The team simultaneously tested standard cognition, taking DNA to control racial and genetic factors. The results show that brain surface area is related to socio-economic foundation.

According to research conclusions, the educational foundation of parents relates linearly to the area of ​​the brain, especially the language area, reading and operating functions. Relatively, children with parents who go to high school (12 years or less) have a brain surface area of ​​less than 3% compared to children whose parents are in college (15 years of school or more).

Brain surface area is also related to family income. At the lowest income level, increasing income leads to stronger brain area growth. Factors affecting race and ethnicity have no impact or influence.