Socioeconomic status and the brain: mechanistic insights from human and animal research.

ABSTRACT: Human brain development occurs within a socioeconomic context and childhood socioeconomic status (SES) influences neural development--particularly of the systems that subserve language and executive function. Research in humans and in animal models has implicated prenatal factors, parent-child interactions and cognitive stimulation in the home environment in the effects of SES on neural development. These findings provide a unique opportunity for understanding how environmental factors can lead to individual differences in brain development, and for improving the programmes and policies that are designed to alleviate SES-related disparities in mental health and academic achievement.

SUBMITTER: Hackman DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2950073 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature