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Environmental influences on the pace of brain development
Ursula A Tooley1,2, Danielle S Bassett3,4,5,6,7,8, Allyson P Mackey9
1Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|April 29, 2021
Summary
Childhood socio-economic status (SES) influences lifelong well-being by altering brain development pace. Higher SES may lead to slower brain maturation and more efficient adult cortical networks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Childhood socio-economic status (SES) is a key predictor of lifelong well-being.
- Experiences linked to childhood SES significantly impact brain development.
- Understanding these impacts is crucial for public health and developmental research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on how childhood SES affects the pace of brain development.
- To propose a theoretical framework for environmental influences on brain maturation.
- To explore the implications for plasticity and learning.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining childhood SES and brain development.
- Analysis of evidence linking SES-related experiences to developmental trajectories.
- Synthesis of findings to propose a theoretical model.
Main Results:
- Higher childhood SES is associated with protracted structural brain development.
- Prolonged functional network segregation in higher SES individuals.
- Hypothesized acceleration of brain maturation by chronic stress and deceleration by positive experiences.
Conclusions:
- The pace of brain development, influenced by childhood SES, has long-term consequences.
- Environmental factors differentially affect brain maturation rates.
- This framework can guide future research on environmental impacts on brain development, plasticity, and learning.
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