- A new study has revealed that persistent financial struggles are linked to faster brain ageing and worse cognitive health.
- Researchers from UCL analysed data from 2,759 people in the UK, finding that those with persistent low income performed worse on cognitive tests at age 53 and exhibited poorer brain health between 69 and 71.
- The link was more pronounced in men, individuals from disadvantaged childhoods and those with a greater genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- The study suggests that chronic financial problems may place ongoing stress on the brain's cognitive processing systems, leading to long-term impairments.
- Experts recommend that supporting people facing financial hardship and reducing poverty could be crucial in preventing future dementia cases, particularly in light of the current cost-of-living crisis.
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