Twin Study Links Childhood Poverty to Cognitive Decline
Childhood poverty and DNA aging linked to midlife cognitive decline.
Why it matters
- Links childhood socioeconomic status and biological aging to cognitive decline in midlife.
- Highlights long-term effects of early-life conditions on brain health.
By the numbers
- Study involved 287 twins.
- Accelerated biological aging linked to greater IQ decline from childhood to midlife.
- Effect more pronounced in those from lower-income households.
The big picture
- Biology and environment together shape long-term brain health.
- Early-life conditions and lifestyle choices impact cognitive aging.
What they're saying
- Childhood poverty has long-term health impacts.
- Study’s approach is interesting and highlights the link between biological aging and IQ decline.
Caveats
- Study doesn’t prove cause and effect.
- Observational and based on twins, controlling for genetic and family-level factors.
What’s next
- Findings could help identify at-risk individuals early.
- More research needed on mechanisms and potential interventions.