Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children and The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Epidemiology Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2018 Oct;27:26-34. doi: 10.1016/j.spen.2018.03.004. Epub 2018 Jun 20.
Numerous studies have shown an association between children's socio-economic status (SES) and disparities in neurocognitive development, achievements, and function later in life. Research focus has recently shifted to imaging of the brain's response to the child's environment. This review summarizes the emerging studies on the influences of early-life SES on brain structure and development, and addresses the relation between brain development and enriched environments. The studies provide evidence of significant associations between SES and brain structure, growth and maturation, not only in healthy infants and children but also in infants with medical conditions. This suggests that the relation between SES and later-life function and achievements operates through alterations in brain maturation. Although the brain changes seem to persist without intervention, animal models of environmental enrichment show the potential of SES-related brain changes to be reversible and dynamic. This review underscores the critical need for reducing the impact of socio-economic disparities and early targeted and prolonged interventions, and highlights the potential of these interventions leading to optimal opportunities for our youngest.
大量研究表明，儿童的社会经济地位（SES）与神经认知发展、成就以及日后生活中的功能差异之间存在关联。研究重点最近转向了对大脑对儿童环境反应的成像研究。本综述总结了关于早期生活 SES 对大脑结构和发育影响的新兴研究，并探讨了大脑发育与丰富环境之间的关系。这些研究提供了证据表明 SES 与大脑结构、生长和成熟之间存在显著关联，不仅在健康的婴儿和儿童中，而且在患有医疗条件的婴儿中也是如此。这表明 SES 与日后生活功能和成就之间的关系是通过大脑成熟的改变来运作的。尽管这些大脑变化似乎在没有干预的情况下持续存在，但环境丰富的动物模型表明，SES 相关的大脑变化具有逆转和动态的潜力。本综述强调了减少社会经济差异以及早期有针对性和长期干预的影响的迫切需要，并强调了这些干预措施为我们最年幼的儿童提供最佳机会的潜力。
