Characteristics of Cognitive Function and Brain Alterations in Pneumoconiosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure may induce brain alterations and increase risks of cognitive impairment. Pneumoconiosis patients are exposed to harmful levels of PM for an extended period, providing an opportunity and a paradigm to study the impacts of PM and its interactions with the brain and cognition. The characteristics of cognitive function and brain alterations in pneumoconiosis, as well as their associations, remain poorly understood.

Demographic, structural, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, along with neurocognitive data, were collected from a cross-sectional cohort of pneumoconiosis workers (PWs) and gender- and age-matched healthy controls. Pneumoconiosis was clinically diagnosed and staged by experienced pulmonologists based on radiological findings and comprehensive occupational histories. Cognitive function was assessed using a standardized neuropsychological battery, with domain-specific analyses. Brain alterations were quantified through measurements of gray matter volume (GMV), mean fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (mfALFF), and functional connectivity (FC). Correlational analyses were performed to examine associations between neuroimaging markers and specific cognitive domains.

The PW group exhibited significantly poorer global cognitive performance, with pronounced deficits in registration memory, verbal cognitive ability, and visuospatial cognitive ability (all p < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the PW group showed significantly altered clusters of GMV, mfALFF and FC in specific brain regions, exhibiting mixed patterns. The significant brain alterations were correlated with specific cognitive domains.

Pneumoconiosis patients exhibit worse cognitive function and significant brain alterations. These brain alterations are associated with specific cognitive domains.