New research suggests that everyday experiences of racial discrimination may alter brain function and increase the risk of dementia and other health problems in Black Americans.
Studies show that Black people are twice as likely as white people to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Emory University and Harvard Medical School are uncovering how racism contributes to this disparity on a neurobiological level.
“Racial discrimination increases the activity of brain regions involved in regulating emotions,” said Negar Fani, a neuroscientist at Emory University. This increased brain activity occurs because responding to racial slights requires high-effort coping strategies.
While this allows people to manage constant threats, it comes at a cost. “The more brain energy you use to suppress, control or manage your feelings, the more energy you take away from the rest of the body,” Fani explained.
Over time, this process can lead to accelerated biological aging and increased vulnerability to health problems. The researchers found evidence of gradual degradation in the brain’s white matter, which serves as information highways between brain cells.
These changes may help explain why Black people face higher risks for various health issues, including heart disease and diabetes, in addition to dementia.
The researchers emphasize that continual questioning and doubting of racist experiences, known as racial gaslighting, may further deplete the brain’s resources.
“By finding their blind spots, people can see ways in which their actions and behaviors could be viewed as hurtful, exclusionary or offensive,” said Nathaniel Harnett, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School.
See “Racism Causes Brain Changes, Ups Dementia Risk in Black Populations” (February 8, 2024)
