A British research project that followed participants for more than 70 years suggests that ongoing financial hardship may affect brain health later in life. The findings show a link between long-term economic difficulties and reduced cognitive health, reports FastCompany.
One of the world's longest-running research projects
The analysis is based on data from 2,759 participants in the 1946 British birth cohort, who have been followed for most of their lives.
Information was collected over several decades
Participants regularly provided information through questionnaires as well as home and clinic visits as part of the National Survey of Health and Development.
The study began during a period of economic uncertainty
The original survey was launched against the backdrop of the financial turmoil of the 1930s, when many families were concerned about their finances and the cost of having children.
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More than 5,000 babies were included
At the start of the project, the births of 5,362 babies were recorded.
The analysis focused on surviving participants
Researchers examined the more than 2,700 people who were still alive when they reached the age of 69.
Long-term financial hardship stood out
According to the researchers, it was the accumulation of financial difficulties over many years, rather than brief periods of hardship, that was associated with the poorest outcomes.
Cognitive differences appeared by midlife
Participants who either grew up with persistent financial problems or had low incomes as young adults achieved lower scores on cognitive tests by the age of 53.
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Brain scans revealed clear differences
Scans performed between the ages of 69 and 71 showed that people with lower incomes had poorer brain health, including greater brain shrinkage.
Several factors were taken into account
The findings were adjusted for factors including childhood cognitive ability, educational attainment and childhood disadvantage.
The link was stronger in certain groups
Researchers found the strongest associations among men, people from disadvantaged childhood backgrounds and participants with a higher genetic risk.
Researchers point to a possible preventive measure
The study suggests that providing financial support to economically vulnerable working-age adults could help reduce the risk of dementia in an aging population.
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The findings were published in a scientific journal
The research was published in the journal Innovation in Aging, where the authors describe the relationship between persistent financial hardship and brain health across the lifespan.
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This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.