title: Brain imaging and electrophysiology biomarkers: is there a role in poverty and education outcome research?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prekindergarten educational interventions represent a popular approach to improving educational outcomes, especially in children from poor households. Children from lower socioeconomic groups are at increased risk for delays in cognitive development that are important for school success. These delays, which may stem from stress associated with poverty, often develop before kindergarten. Early interventions have been proposed, but there is a need for more information on effectiveness. By assessing socioeconomic differences in brain structure and function, we may better be able to track the neurobiologic basis underlying children's cognitive improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a review of the neuroimaging and electrophysiology literature to evaluate what is known about differences in brain structure and function as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiology and evoked response potentials among children from poor and nonpoor households.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences in lower socioeconomic groups were found in functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging as well as electroencephalography and evoked response potentials compared with higher socioeconomic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest a number of neurobiologic correlates for cognitive delays in children who are poor. Given this, we speculate that magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiology parameters might be useful as biomarkers, after more research, for establishing the effectiveness of specific prekindergarten educational interventions. At the very least, we suggest that to level the playing field in educational outcomes, it may be helpful to foster communication and collaboration among all professionals involved in the care and education of children.
authors: Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors: Alexandra E
authors: AE
authors: Pavlakis
authors: Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Noble
authors: Center for Brain and Behavior, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York. Electronic address: SPavlakis@maimonidesmed.org.
authors: Steven G
authors: SG
authors: Pavlakis
authors: Pediatrics, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York.
authors: Noorjahan
authors: N
authors: Ali
authors: Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Neurology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors: Yitzchak
authors: Y
authors: Frank
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004493:Education; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011203:Poverty; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: biomarkers; brain imaging; education; electrophysiology; poverty