White matter integrity as a mediator between socioeconomic status and executive function
Danielle Shaked1,2,3, Leslie I Katzel4,5, Christos Davatzikos6
1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, United States.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|December 5, 2022
Summary
Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is linked to reduced executive function. White matter integrity, particularly in the ALIC and EC, partially explains this association, highlighting the need for further research into SES-cognition mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with cognitive function, but underlying neural mechanisms are not fully understood.
- White matter integrity, crucial for brain communication and cognitive abilities, may mediate SES-related disparities in executive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether white matter integrity mediates the relationship between SES and executive function.
- To examine specific white matter tracts, including the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC), external capsule (EC), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and cingulum.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy) in 201 diverse adults from the HANDLS SCAN study.
- Analyses examined mediation effects of ALIC, EC, SLF, and cingulum integrity on the association between SES and executive function (Trails B, Stroop).
Main Results:
- Lower SES was associated with poorer white matter integrity and executive function.
- ALIC integrity mediated the SES-Trails B relationship; EC integrity mediated SES-Trails B and SES-Stroop relationships.
- Mediation effects were influenced by race adjustment and showed potential generalizability to processing speed, independent of age.
Conclusions:
- Poorer white matter integrity partially explains SES-related disparities in executive function.
- Findings underscore the importance of biopsychosocial factors in the SES-cognition association and suggest further research into cardiovascular risk factors.
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