The neuroscience of inequality: does poverty show up in children's brains?

There is increasing evidence that growing up poor diminishes the physical development of a child ’s brain. A landmark US study is attempting to establish a causal link – and find new ways to help our poorest childrenWith its bright colours, anthropomorphic animal motif and nautical-themed puzzle play mat,Dr Kimberly Noble’s laboratory at Columbia University in New York looks like your typical day-care centre – save for the team of cognitive neuroscientists observing kids from behind a large two-way mirror.TheNeurocognition, Early Experience and Development Lab is home to cutting-edge research on how poverty affects young brains, and I ’ve come here to learn how Noble and her colleagues could soon definitively prove that growing up poor can keep a child’s brain from developing.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Inequality Income inequality US income inequality Neuroscience Children Society Education Technology Source Type: news