Brain development in children could be affected by poverty, study shows

Scans show that brain regions crucial for the development of language, memory and reasoning skills tend to be smaller in those from poorer backgrounds

Brain scans of children and young adults have revealed that specific brain regions tend to be smaller in those from poorer backgrounds than those born into wealthier families.

The effects were most striking among the poorest families who took part in the study, where even modest changes in wages could have a significant impact on the structure of the children's brains.