Racial discrimination not only impacts mental brain health, but physical brain health as well.
Research suggests that the stress of racial discrimination activates stress-sensitive regulatory systems in the brain, leading to sustained heightened arousal and negative emotions. The consequences of this are profound, with studies linking frequent racial discrimination to increased severity of mental health disorders such as PTSD and major depression, as well as an increased risk of brain aging conditions like dementia.
According to the 2019 General Society Survey, nearly half of all Black Canadians aged 15 and older reported experiencing at least one form of racial discrimination in the past five years. Knowing this bleak statistic, it is no wonder that Black individuals have a two-fold greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to white individuals.
Despite these significant correlations, a notable gap exists in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms. How exactly does racial discrimination affect the brain? Recent research aims to illuminate the pathways involved by examining the relationship between racial discrimination, DNA, and functional brain connectivity.
This study was published in JAMA and co-authored by Breanne E. Kearney, a PhD Student from Western University in the Department of Neuroscience.
The study included 90 Black women from the U.S. with a mean age of 39 years. The researchers found that greater racial discrimination was positively associated with brain activity in regions involved in rumination and the internalization of emotion. Moreover, their DNA indicated the connectivity between these brain regions was linked to more significant cellular aging.
These results suggest that racial discrimination can accelerate cellular aging in Black women, increasing their susceptibility to mental health disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. This revelation underscores the severe, often overlooked, consequences of racial discrimination on brain health.
While this study sheds light on a vital scientific connection, it also opens the door for further research. Future studies should explore these associations across different sexes and broader demographics to develop a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological impacts of racial discrimination on all racial groups.
By unravelling these complex mechanisms, we can better address and mitigate the health disparities for those consistently facing racial discrimination, ultimately paving the way toward a more equitable and healthier society.
But better yet, we can all help eliminate the harmful effects of these heinous acts on mental and physical brain health if we stand up against racial prejudice and disrespectful attitudes, working together to create a world free from racism and discrimination.
