A new study has found a strong link between environmental factors and the development of a child’s brain. Researchers analyzed data from over 9,000 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study and discovered that financial struggles, neighborhood safety, and social vulnerability can significantly impact the quality of white matter in the brain – the “wiring” that connects different brain regions.
White matter plays a crucial role in cognitive tasks, facilitating communication between brain areas. Previous studies have shown that poverty and childhood trauma can lead to lower quality white matter and lower scores on cognitive tests. However, this study provides more comprehensive insights by analyzing data from a larger group of participants.
The researchers found that exposure to trauma and social vulnerability were the two largest drivers of deteriorated white matter, while measures of positive parenting, such as showing children love and kindness, were strongly associated with better white matter quality.
The study highlights the importance of considering the social environment in understanding cognitive development. The findings suggest that building strong communities and providing individual support to families can help improve brain development in children.
Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/early-experiences-shape-brain-s-communication-superhighways-affect-cognition