Childhood Poverty, Stress, and Working Memory

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/05/AR2009040501719.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Here's the study abstract:
The income–achievement gap is a formidable societal problem, but little is known about either neurocognitive or biological mechanisms that might account for income-related deficits in academic achievement. We show that childhood poverty is inversely related to working memory in young adults. Furthermore, this prospective relationship is mediated by elevated chronic stress during childhood.
Chronic stress is measured by allostatic load, a biological marker of cumulative wear and tear on the body that is caused by the mobilization of multiple physiological systems in response to chronic environmental demands.

Janet
Janet R. Olsen
Program LeaderChildren, Youth, Families and Communities
Michigan State University Extension160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
Voice: 517/432-7630Fax: 517/355-6748
email: olsenj@msu.edu