Precision Medicine News

Genetics, Social Determinants Have Joint Impact on Cognitive Health

An individual’s ability to maintain cognitive function with age may depend on both genetic makeup and social determinants.

Genetics, social determinants have joint impact on cognitive health

Source: Thinkstock

By Jessica Kent

- Genetics and community-level social determinants may interact to have a positive or negative impact on individuals’ cognitive health, a team from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) recently found.

The study, published in the journal Health & Place, indicated that the cognitive benefits of living in neighborhoods with greater access to social, walking, and retail destinations may be limited to people with a reduced genetic risk for cognitive decline.

Cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia impact millions of Americans and result in soaring healthcare costs. The researchers stated that Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in US, and more than 5.8 million people are living with the disease. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to nearly 14 million.