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Cognitive Functions in High-altitude Tribal Population: Assessment Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Hitesh Jani1, Punam Verma1, Ritika Thakur1
1Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bilaspur, Kothipura, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Annals of Neurosciences
|September 19, 2025
Summary
High altitude negatively impacts cognitive function, with increasing altitude and age associated with lower scores on naming, attention, and memory. Males generally scored higher than females in visuospatial/executive and attention tasks.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Anthropology
Background:
- Chronic hypoxia at high altitudes (HA) can affect cognitive function.
- Limited research exists on the cognitive function of native HA populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cognitive functions in a tribal population in Himachal Pradesh, India.
- To assess the impact of high altitude, age, and gender on cognitive function in HA natives using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Main Methods:
- 359 HA natives' cognitive function was assessed using the MoCA tool.
- Participants were stratified by altitude (3,000-3,500m and >3,500m) and age (20-40, 41-60, >60 years).
- Statistical analyses identified associations between altitude, age, sex, and MoCA scores.
Main Results:
- Higher altitude correlated with lower scores in Naming, Attention, Delayed Recall, and Orientation (p < .001).
- Age significantly impacted MoCA scores across most domains (p < .001), showing a decline with age.
- Gender differences were noted, with males outperforming females in Visuospatial/Executive and Attention subscales (p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Increasing altitude is linked to reduced performance in specific cognitive domains.
- Age is a significant factor in cognitive performance among HA natives, with scores decreasing with age.
- Altitude, age, and sex are crucial determinants of cognitive profiles in high-altitude populations.
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