Impact of haemoglobin level on attention and concentration in old Adults population

Abstract

Low hemoglobin levels are associated with tissue hypoxia and decreased oxygen delivery to brain which may lead to cognitive impairment. Some experimental studies in humans have shown that iron deficiency may cause brain mitochondrial damage causing decreased function of the enzyme cytochrome oxidase leading to cognitive impairment. There are very limited studies to find whether the haemoglobin concentration affects the attention and concentration in old age, so this study is one such effort to find the same. Very few studies and all in elderly have been conducted to study the impact of anemia on cognitive performance and having incontinent results. No information is available regarding the prevalence of cognitive impairment in anemic adult population of India. Considering this fact, there is need to study the impact of anemia on cognitive functions in neurologically intact adult anemic patients in rural population from a tertiary care hospital.