A group of scientists from the Psychology Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered that life in the highlands can slow down the face awareness and change the way of handling emotions to the brain. The study was published in the Journal of Neurology Science.

Experts have compared the reactions of young people living at an altitude of 3658 meters in Tibet and their colleagues living in sea level in Beijing.

Participants show the images of people with different emotions (happiness, evil, neutral) and their brain activity is recorded by EEG (EEG) method.

Scientists focus on two components of brain waves: P1 (Early visual attention) and N170 (encrypted the structure of facial characteristics). The results show that life at high altitudes is related to increased risk of depression and anxiety.

This is due to the lack of oxygen – reducing oxygen levels, disrupting brain, especially forehead lobe, responsible for cognitive functions and emotional handling.

It also indicates that people in high -end areas are more likely to have difficulty recognizing happy expressions and tend to explain neutral faces as affection.

The study confirmed that life at an altitude affects emotional handling and increases the risk of mental disorders.

However, scientists note that to establish a direct relationship between brain changes and depression, further research, including monitoring people moving to highlands.