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ObjectiveBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophic family that plays a vital role in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity in the brain, affects attention. However, studies investigating the association between BDNF and attention in long-term high-altitude (HA) migrants are limited in the literature. As HA affects both BDNF and attention, the relationship between these factors becomes more complex. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between peripheral blood concentrations of BDNF and the three attentional networks in both behavioral and electrical aspects of the brain in long-term HA migrants.Materials and methodsNinety-eight Han adults (mean age: 34.74 ± 3.48 years, 51 females and 47 males, all have lived at Lhasa for 11.30 ± 3.82 years) were recruited in this study. For all participants, the serum BDNF levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; event-related potentials (N1, P1, and P3) were recorded during the Attentional Networks Test, which was used as the measure of three attentional networks.ResultsExecutive control scores were negatively correlated with P3 amplitude (r = −0.20, p = 0.044), and serum BDNF levels were positively correlated with executive control scores (r = 0.24, p = 0.019) and negatively correlated with P3 amplitude (r = −0.22, p = 0.027). Through grouping of BDNF levels and three attentional networks, executive control was found to be significantly higher in the high BDNF group than in the low BDNF group (p = 0.010). Different BDNF levels were associated with both orienting scores (χ2 = 6.99, p = 0.030) and executive control scores (χ2 = 9.03, p = 0.011). The higher the BDNF level, the worse was the executive function and the lower was the average P3 amplitude and vice versa. Females were found to have higher alerting scores than males (p = 0.023).ConclusionThis study presented the relationship between BDNF and attention under HA. The higher the BDNF level, the worse was the executive control, suggesting that after long-term exposure to HA, hypoxia injury of the brain may occur in individuals with relatively higher BDNF levels, and this higher BDNF level may be the result of self-rehabilitation tackling the adverse effects brought by the HA environment.

Background: Although dietary patterns of highlander have been widely investigated, no study has explored the relationship between dietary patterns and physical examination indicators in high-altitude migrants. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary and physiological indexes and explore the suitable dietary patterns of Tibetan migrants. Methods: 116 participants who had migrated to Tibet for > 2 years were recruited. Dietary patterns and physical examination indicators were assessed using a self-adjusted food frequency questionnaire and blood gas analysis, and six principal dietary patterns were obtained using principal component analysis. Results: The following results were obtained: adherence to a coarse grain dietary pattern was positively associated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (odds ratio (OR) = 1.077, p = 0.054) and negatively associated with urea level (OR = 0.601, p = 0.013). High meat dietary pattern is positively associated with creatinine level (OR = 1.050, p = 0.023) but negatively associated with glomerular filtration rate (OR = 0.960, p = 0.020). Adherence to the beverage dietary pattern was positively associated with uric acid levels (OR = 1.005, p = 0.044). High fruit intake is positively correlated with aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase level (OR = 5.271, p = 0.005) and red blood cell count (OR = 4.805, p = 0.033). An unhealthy dietary pattern was positively correlated with lymphocyte counts (OR = 2.904, p = 0.011). Conclusions: In summary, a coarse grain-rich diet is suitable for Tibetan migrants. However, meat and fruit should not be consumed in excessive amounts, and sweetened drinks and alcohol should be avoided.