WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WHN) – Where individuals live appears to significantly influence brain health and dementia risk, according to new research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The study, recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging, found measurable differences in brain structure and activity among participants residing in neighborhoods characterized by high social vulnerability, environmental inequities, and economic hardship.
These findings align with existing research suggesting that the social environment plays a profound role in shaping cognitive well-being, as noted by Timothy Hughes, Ph.D., an associate professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and senior author of the paper.
The investigation examined data from 679 adults enrolled in the Healthy Brain Study at the Wake Forest Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Each participant underwent brain imaging and blood testing to identify early markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Researchers then cross-referenced these biological findings with three national indices that assess neighborhood conditions by zip code: the Area Deprivation Index, the Social Vulnerability Index, and the Environmental Justice Index. These tools evaluate factors including income levels, housing quality, pollution exposure, and community resilience.
The study revealed a clear association between neighborhood disadvantage and brain changes. Participants living in areas scoring higher on these indices—signifying greater social and environmental challenges—demonstrated more pronounced indicators of dementia risk. This effect was particularly evident in Black participants, a demographic group often disproportionately affected by environmental and socioeconomic stressors.
Specific brain alterations observed included a thinner cerebral cortex, changes in white matter consistent with vascular disease, and reduced or irregular blood flow. Such biological markers are considered potential contributors to age-related memory issues and cognitive decline.
“This study is one of the first to connect a variety of place-based social factors with advanced biological markers of dementia,” said Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, a sixth-year M.D.-Ph.D. candidate and the study’s lead author. He explained that the conditions and environments people inhabit—including access to clean air, safe housing, nutritious food, and economic opportunities—may leave a lasting imprint on brain health.
These results contribute to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating that an individual’s living circumstances and available resources are not merely background factors but are critical determinants in understanding and addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Krishnamurthy emphasized that these findings underscore the necessity for systemic policy changes. “If we truly want to improve brain health across all communities,” he stated, “we must look beyond individual choices and hone in on the broader systems and structures that shape health at the neighborhood level.”
The research received financial support from the National Institutes of Health, under grants F30 AG085932 and P30 AG07294, and the American Heart Association, grant 24PRE1200264.