Early life socioeconomic status, chronic physiological stress and hippocampal N-acetyl aspartate concentrations

McLean, J. et al. (2012) Early life socioeconomic status, chronic physiological stress and hippocampal N-acetyl aspartate concentrations. Behavioural Brain Research, 235(2), pp. 225-230. (doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.08.013)

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Abstract

<b>Objective</b> Early life socioeconomic deprivation has been associated with cognitive and behavioural changes that persist through towards adulthood. In this study, we investigated whether early life socioeconomic status is associated with changes in the hippocampus N acetyl aspartate, using the non-invasive technique of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). <b>Methods</b> We performed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the hippocampus at 3 T in 30 adult males, selected from the PSOBID cohort. We conducted multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between early socioeconomic status and concentration of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the hippocampus. We also examined if the relationship between these variables were mediated by markers of chronic physiological stress. <b>Results</b> Greater socioeconomic deprivation was associated with lower hippocampal NAA concentrations bilaterally. The relationship between early life SES and hippocampal NAA concentrations was mediated by allostatic load index – a marker of chronic physiological stress. <b>Conclusions</b> Greater early life socioeconomic deprivation was associated with lower concentrations of NAA reflecting lesser neuronal integrity. This relationship was mediated by greater physiological stress. Further work, to better understand the biological processes underlying the effects of poverty, physiological stress on hippocampal metabolites is necessary.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Condon, Professor Barrie and McLean, Dr Jennifer and Krishnadas, Dr Rajeev and McConnachie, Professor Alex and Ford, Professor Ian and Tannahill, Dr Carol and Shiels, Professor Paul and Deans, Dr Kevin and Cavanagh, Professor Jonathan and Millar, Professor Keith and Velupillai, Dr Yoganathan and Batty, Dr G and Hadley, Professor Donald and Packard, Professor Chris and Sattar, Professor Naveed
Authors: McLean, J., Krishnadas, R., Batty, G., Burns, H., Deans, K., Ford, I., McConnachie, A., McGinty, A., McLean, J., Millar, K., Sattar, N., Shiels, P., Tannahill, C., Velupillai, Y., Packard, C., Condon, B., Hadley, D., and Cavanagh, J.
Subjects:R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
Journal Name:Behavioural Brain Research
ISSN:0166-4328
ISSN (Online):1872-7549
Published Online:17 August 2012

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