Family income is associated with regional brain glucose metabolism in middle-aged adults

Socioeconomic status is a multifaceted construct that plays a prominent role in shaping our environment by defining our access to healthcare, nutrition, and enrichment, as well as represents social standing. Therefore, to address the effects of family income, and education level on brain glucose metabolism, we analyzed a large cohort of healthy middle-aged adults who underwent brain 18F-FDG PET, and survey of family income and education level. We retrospectively analyzed data of healthy males who underwent health check-up program. Health check-up program included 1) Brain 18F-FDG PET, 2) anthropometric measurements, 3) survey of family income and education level, and 4) measures of stress, anxiety, and depression. The effects of family income and education level on regional SUVR were investigated using Bayesian hierarchical modelling. A total of 233 healthy males were included in this study. Family income was positively correlated with education level. There was no significant indirect effect of family income or education level via stress, anxiety, or depression on regional brain glucose metabolism. Family income is positively associated with brain glucose metabolism in caudate, putamen, anterior cingulate, hippocampus, and amygdala, while education level does not show any significant association with brain glucose metabolism in middle-aged adults. In conclusion, family income is positively associated with brain glucose metabolism in caudate, putamen, anterior cingulate, hippocampus, and amygdala, while education level does not show any significant association with brain glucose metabolism. This finding might reflect the link between family income, and reward sensitivity, stress in middle-aged adults.