Research Links Poor Kids’ Stress, Brain Impairment

By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 6, 2009; Page A06

Children raised in poverty suffer many ill effects: They often have health problems and tend to struggle in school, which can create a cycle of poverty across generations.

Now, research is providing what could be crucial clues to explain how childhood poverty translates into dimmer chances of success: Chronic stress from growing up poor appears to have a direct impact on the brain, leaving children with impairment in at least one key area — working memory.

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