A review of methods for assessment of cognitive function in high‐altitude hypoxic environments

Abstract

Hypoxic environments like those present at high altitudes may negatively affect brain function. Varying levels of hypoxia, whether acute or chronic, are previously shown to impair cognitive function in humans. Assessment and prevention of such cognitive impairment require detection of cognitive changes and impairment using specific cognitive function assessment tools. This paper summarizes the findings of previous research, outlines the methods for cognitive function assessment used at a high altitude, elaborates the need to develop standardized and systematic cognitive function assessment tools for high‐altitude hypoxia environments.

Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults

“…Second, the MMSE is susceptible to educational and cultural biases, as performance may be influenced by literacy levels and language proficiency. Furthermore, the ceiling effect of the MMSE renders it less sensitive to mild cognitive impairment [ 26 ], leading to false-negative results, particularly in highly educated individuals [ 25 ]. These limitations underscore the need for supplementary assessments to capture a comprehensive profile of cognitive function.…”