Poverty's Hidden Toll on Cognition

Research suggests that experiencing poverty over a longer period of time in early adulthood can have a negative impact on cognitive function in midlife. A study of over 2,900 people who participated in a survey from age 18 to 48 found that those who were often or always in poverty had lower cognitive scores, particularly in memory and global cognitive function, compared to those who were never in poverty. This effect was not explained by the participants' cognitive abilities when they were younger. The study's findings have implications for understanding the long-term effects of poverty on brain health and suggest that addressing poverty may be an important factor in maintaining cognitive function as people age.