Takeaway
In older cognitively normal adults, neighborhood-level disadvantage is linked to longitudinal cortical thinning and cognitive decline.
Why this matters
The association between neighborhood-level disadvantage and faster decline in cortical thickness and cognitive performance suggests that enhanced clinical awareness for early signs of dementia is needed in this vulnerable population.
Better understanding of the social and biological pathways linking neighborhood-level disadvantage, neurodegeneration and cognitive decline could ultimately lead to better prevention and intervention in dementia.