AUTHOR=Liang Aileen , Watt Emma , Gomaa Noha 

TITLE=Biological Mechanisms Linking Social Adversity and Cognition

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 46 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2025.1608740

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2025.1608740

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=ObjectivesVarious studies have shown that social adversity, such as loneliness or low SES, are linked with worse cognitive outcomes, though underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. This scoping review aims to summarize existing evidence on biological processes that may serve as mediators underlying this association.MethodsFollowing PRISMA-ScR guidelines, studies measuring social adversity, cognition, and at least one biological mechanism were included. Results were summarized narratively and in tabular formats.ResultsTwelve studies (n = 12) examined links between social adversity, cognition, and biological mechanisms. Inflammation, allostatic load, genetics and genetic aging markers were the three main biological mechanisms identified as potential mediators.ConclusionSeveral studies suggest that these biological mechanisms may mediate the link between social adversity and cognitive decline. However, further research is needed to clarify these complex relationships, which are crucial for developing targeted interventions, especially for socially disadvantaged populations.