Persistent financial hardship is linked to later-life brain shrinkage
A decades-long study of British adults suggests that enduring economic strain across adulthood correlates with lower midlife cognitive scores and increased brain atrophy in later years.
Financial strain can leave a lasting impact on the brain, a new study suggests. Researchers tracked the same group of people throughout their adult lives, examining their financial circumstances and cognitive abilities over time. The study, published in the journal Innovation in Aging, found that those who experienced persistent low income and financial hardship scored lower on cognitive tests at age 53.
These individuals also showed greater brain shrinkage and ventricular expansion, markers of poor brain health. The link between financial adversity and brain shrinkage was stronger for men, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease. While the study cannot prove direct causation, it adds to growing evidence that addressing financial stress could help protect brain health and potentially reduce dementia cases in the future.
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