Associations between solar and geomagnetic activity and cognitive function in the Normative Aging

Environ Int · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 177

A one-IQR increase in same-day sunspot number (SSN) and Kp index was associated with 17% (95% CI: 3%, 34%) and 19% (95% CI: 4%, 36%) higher odds of a low MMSE score, respectively. SSN was associated with small increases in the global cognitive score, while de…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnviron Int · 2024

Study typecohort

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Associations between solar and geomagnetic activity and cognitive function in the Normative Aging study Liddie JM, Vieira CLZ, Coull BA, Sparrow D, Koutrakis P, Weisskopf MG. Associations between solar and geomagnetic activity and cognitive function in the Normative Aging study. Environ Int. 2024 Apr 16;187:108666. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108666. Abstract Background: Studies show that changes in solar and geomagnetic activity (SGA) influence melatonin secretion and the autonomic nervous system. We evaluated associations between solar and geomagnetic activity and cognitive function in the Normative Aging Study from 1992 to 2013. Methods: We used logistic and linear generalized estimating equations and regressions to evaluate the associations between moving averages of sunspot number (SSN) and Kp index (a measure of geomagnetic activity) and a binary measure for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (≤25 or > 25) and six other cognitive tests as continuous measures, combined into one global composite score and considered separately. Results: A one-IQR increase in same-day SSN and Kp index were associated with 17% (95% CI: 3%, 34%) and 19% (95% CI: 4%, 36%) increases in the odds of low MMSE score. We observed small increases in the global cognitive score with increasing SSN, although we observed decreases specifically in relation to the backwards digit span test. Conclusions: Periods of high SGA were associated with cognitive function. SGA may not equally impact all aspects of cognitive function, as evidenced by differences in associations observed for the MMSE, global cognitive score, and individual cognitive tests. Given that much of the pathology of cognitive decline in the elderly remains unexplained, studies specifically targeting decline and with longer follow- up periods are warranted. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecohort

Effect directionmixed

PopulationParticipants in the Normative Aging Study (elderly men implied by cohort name; not explicitly stated in abstract)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure1992 to 2013; moving averages including same-day SSN and Kp index

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) low score (≤25 vs >25)
Global composite cognitive score (from six cognitive tests)
Backwards digit span test
Six other cognitive tests (considered separately; not named in abstract)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Potential heterogeneity across cognitive domains (different directions across MMSE, global score, and specific tests)
Observational design; causality cannot be established (implied by methods and conclusions)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "solar and geomagnetic activity",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1992 to 2013; moving averages including same-day SSN and Kp index"
  },
  "population": "Participants in the Normative Aging Study (elderly men implied by cohort name; not explicitly stated in abstract)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) low score (≤25 vs >25)",
    "Global composite cognitive score (from six cognitive tests)",
    "Backwards digit span test",
    "Six other cognitive tests (considered separately; not named in abstract)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A one-IQR increase in same-day sunspot number (SSN) and Kp index was associated with 17% (95% CI: 3%, 34%) and 19% (95% CI: 4%, 36%) higher odds of a low MMSE score, respectively. SSN was associated with small increases in the global cognitive score, while decreases were observed for the backwards digit span test.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Potential heterogeneity across cognitive domains (different directions across MMSE, global score, and specific tests)",
    "Observational design; causality cannot be established (implied by methods and conclusions)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "solar activity",
    "geomagnetic activity",
    "sunspot number",
    "Kp index",
    "cognitive function",
    "MMSE",
    "Normative Aging Study",
    "elderly",
    "melatonin",
    "autonomic nervous system"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "environmental-exposures",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Examines associations between environmental solar/geomagnetic activity indices and cognitive outcomes."
    },
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108666
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library