Researchers at University College London (UCL) have carried out a study looking at the impact of persistent economic hardship on adults born in 1946 in the UK. The results indicate lower cognitive performance among those who faced financial problems throughout their lives.

Cognitive testing revealed that consistently low-income participants showed worse results in verbal memory and processing speed. In addition, MRIs showed markers of brain aging, such as brain atrophy.

Dr Jacques Wels, author of the study and member of the UCL Health and Aging Across the Lifespan Unit, told Fox News Digital that cognitive decline is linked to both genetics and adverse experiences. The most significant associations were observed between men and those who had disadvantaged childhoods, as well as carriers of the APOE-ε4 genetic variant, related to the risk of Alzheimer's.

“We use different indicators of financial adversity throughout life and different indicators of cognitive impairment, and they all show the same results, which makes them robust,” says Wels.

Implications of the study

Researchers suggest that chronic stress associated with financial adversity could be a trigger for accelerated cognitive aging.

Despite the findings, the study has limitations, since its design does not allow establishing a direct causal relationship between financial stress and cognitive impairment. There is a call to continue investigating the relationship between improved financial situation and the risk of dementia.

Additional factors that may also influence

There are several factors that can influence the cognitive performance of older adults, and some are modifiable. Among the most notable are the absence of cognitive stimulation, polypharmacy, poor blood pressure control and dependency for basic activities of daily living.

Associated factors

Other factors that can affect memory

The National Institute on Aging notes that memory problems in older adults can also be due to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid, kidney or liver disease, side effects of medications, alcohol or other drugs, infections or head trauma.

What should be monitored

In practice, the most useful factors to identify are those that can be corrected: sleep better, review medications, control blood pressure, treat depression or anxiety, maintain physical and mental activity, and take care of nutrition. It also helps to maintain routine, an active social life, and continuous learning, because these activities support cognitive reserve.

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