Poor children show less brain activity in the frontal cortex than middle-income children

Science Daily - Poor Children's Brains Activity Resembles That of Stroke Victims, EEG Shows

EEG, or electroencephalograph, involves placing a electrode-wired cap over the head of a subject to read some of the brain's electrical activity. This study used a small number (26) of 9-10 yr old children whose salient differences were socio-economic status. It found that poorer children averaged lower brain activity when processing visual stimuli and also novel stimuli. The level of brain function resembled that of some adult stroke victims who have had parts of their brains damaged. Also discussed are the possible causes for this discovery, including less language emersion, a less-enriching environment. Lastly, article pointed out that these conditions are changeable-- artistic, linguistic and logical play has been shown to increase brain function in children.