Functional and Structural Brain Correlates of Socioeconomic Status

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Socioeconomic status (SES) is a complex measure including wealth, education, and social factors.
• While cognitive links to SES are known, brain correlates remain unclear.
• Understanding neurobiological impacts of SES is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify neural regions affected by low SES across different age groups.
• To integrate functional and structural neuroimaging findings related to SES.

Main Methods:

• Utilized effect size-seed-based d Mapping meta-analysis.
• Included studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM).
• Analyzed data from individuals with low SES across the lifespan.

Main Results:

• Low SES individuals showed decreased executive network activity from early to late age.
• Individuals with low SES exhibited increased activity in reward-related brain regions.
• Gray matter volume showed similar patterns of hypoactivation and hyperactivation across age groups.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a neural basis for the impact of low SES on brain function and structure.
• Hypoactivation of the executive network and hyperactivation of the reward network may reflect adaptation to scarcity.
• These neuroimaging results support theories on early adversity and its long-term consequences.