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Researchers at the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Medicine and Public Health (ISAP) at Leipzig University have found a connection between socioeconomic factors and cognitive function. Their findings, published in the journal Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, suggest that people with lower incomes and those who are unemployed may experience a faster decline in cognitive function as they age.
The study involved analyzing data from over 158,000 participants in the German National Cohort (NAKO), Germany’s largest population study. Participants underwent medical examinations and neuropsychological tests, which are designed to assess changes in cognitive function over time. The tests measured attention, concentration, and memory.
The researchers observed that people living below the poverty line had lower cognitive function compared to those above the poverty line. This difference became more pronounced with increasing age. However, the study could not determine whether lower income caused cognitive decline or vice versa. People with a faster cognitive decline may have difficulty finding or keeping employment, which could lead to lower income.
“Our results show that having adequate financial resources may be important for maintaining cognitive functioning in old age,” said Dr. Francisca Rodriguez, head of the Psychosocial Epidemiology and Public Health working group at the DZNE. “Cognitive abilities are essential for communication, understanding information, and making decisions. These skills are important for staying active and engaged in society as we age.”
The study also found a weak association between living alone and cognitive function. The researchers believe that social networks may be more important than living arrangements in maintaining cognitive health.
The findings highlight the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind the link between socioeconomic factors and cognitive decline. This knowledge could be used to develop interventions to improve cognitive health, particularly for those who are financially disadvantaged.
Source: German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
