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=45

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=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> Synthesize longitudinal research evaluating neighborhood environments and cognition to identify methodological approaches, findings, and gaps.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Included studies evaluated associations between neighborhood and cognition longitudinally among adults &gt;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.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> 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 did not 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.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Although longitudinal research evaluating neighborhood and cognitive decline has expanded, gaps remain in types of exposures, outcomes, analytic approaches, and sample diversity.</p>