AUTHOR=Michael Yvonne L. , Senerat Araliya M. , Buxbaum Channa , Ezeanyagu Ugonwa , Hughes Timothy M. , Hayden Kathleen M. , Langmuir Julia , Besser Lilah M. , Sánchez Brisa , Hirsch Jana A. 

TITLE=Systematic Review of Longitudinal Evidence and Methodologies for Research on Neighborhood Characteristics and Brain Health

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 45 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2024.1606677

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2024.1606677

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=Objective
Synthesize longitudinal research evaluating neighborhood environments and cognition to identify methodological approaches, findings, and gaps. 
Methods
Included studies evaluated associations between neighborhood and cognition longitudinally among adults >45 years (or mean age of 65 years) living in developed nations. We extracted data on sample characteristics, exposures, outcomes, methods, overall findings, and assessment of disparities. 
Results
Forty studies met our inclusion criteria. Most (65%) measured exposure only once and a majority focused on green space and/or blue space (water), neighborhood socioeconomic status, and recreation/physical activity facilities. Similarly, over half studied incident impairment, cognitive function or decline (70%), with one examining MRI (2.5%) or Alzheimer’s disease (7.5%). While most studies used repeated measures analysis to evaluate changes in the brain health outcome (51%), many studies failed to account for any type of correlation within neighborhoods (35%). Less than half evaluated effect modification by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or sex/gender. Evidence was mixed and dependent on exposure or outcome assessed.
Conclusion
Although longitudinal research evaluating neighborhood and cognitive decline has expanded, gaps remain in types of exposures, outcomes, analytic approaches, and sample diversity.