- There was a significant correlation between higher MCAS scores and greater cortical thickness from the primary visual cortices dorsally to the parietal cortex and ventrally through the temporal lobe. 
- Controlling for family income reduced but did not eliminate the relationship found between cortical thickness and MCAS scores.
- Controlling for cortical thickness greatly reduced the strength of the relationship between income status and MCAS scores.
- The results suggest that cortical thickness in the clusters found to correlate with MCAS performance could account for as much as 44% of the income-achievement gap present in the sample that was studied. 

Correlation of cortical gray matter with the income-achievement gap results: The correlation between MCAS scores and cortical gray matter 

- There was a significant difference in performance on the MCAS between low and high income groups in both Math and English/Language Arts. 
- 47% of lower income students, or students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, scored proficient or above, compared with 77% of higher-income students, or students not receiving free or reduced-price lunches


Barnard College

Cortical thickness in the clusters found to correlate with MCAS performance could account for as much as 44% of the income-achievement gap present in the sample that was studied.

Correlation of cortical gray matter with the income-achievement gap results

Mackey A. P., Finn A. S., Leonard J. A., Jacoby-Senghor D. S., West M. R., Gabrieli C. F. O., et al. . (2015). Neuroanatomical correlates of the income-achievement gap. Psychol. Sci. 26, 925–933. 10.1177/0956797615572233

Neuroanatomical correlates of the income achievement gap

Correlation of cortical gray matter with the income-achievement gap results: MCAS scores

- Cortical gray-matter volume was found to be significantly higher in the higher-income group compared to the lower-income group.
- Across both hemispheres of the brain, cortical thickness values were found to be greater in higher-income students compared to lower-income students


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