Neighborhood Greenspace, Income Linked to White Matter Grade
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 2, 2023.
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Nov. 2, 2023 -- For older adults, lower neighborhood income and lower greenspace may be a risk factor for worsening white matter grade, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
Lilah M. Besser, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida, and colleagues examined whether a combined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood median income is associated with white matter hyperintensity and ventricle size changes among 1,260 cognitively normal adults aged 65 years or older with magnetic resonance images taken about five years apart. White matter hyperintensity and ventricular size were graded from 0 to 9 (least to most abnormal), with worsening defined as an increase of ≥1 grade from initial scan to follow-up scans.
The researchers found that those in lower greenspace–lower income neighborhoods were more likely to have white matter grade worsening than those in higher greenspace–higher income neighborhoods (odds ratio, 1.73).
"We found that white matter worsening was more likely for individuals in lower greenspace–lower income neighborhoods than higher greenspace–higher income neighborhoods," Besser said in a statement. "This combination may be a risk factor for brain health, but further research is needed."
One author disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted November 2023
Read this next
Self-, Partner-Reported Cognitive Decline Linked to Tau
THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Individuals who self-report and whose partners report cognitive decline have greater tau, which is driven by elevated beta-amyloid (Aβ), according...
Socioeconomic Status Transitions Tied to Dementia Risk
THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 -- Upward and downward socioeconomic status (SES) transitions are associated with the risk for dementia and the length of dementia-free periods during the...
Ultraprocessed Food Consumption Linked to Cognitive Impairment, Stroke
THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 -- The levels of food processing is associated with cognitive impairment and stroke, according to a study published online May 22 in Neurology. Varun M...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.