Greenspace improves cognitive function

A new study led by Boston University School of Public Health found that residential exposure to greenspace improves cognitive function in women. The study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that exposure to greenspace improves processing speed and attention whilst lowering the risk of depression. Lowering the risk of depression may explain the association between greenspace and cognition as depression is a known risk factor for dementia.

The study involved researchers from Boston University School of Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Rush Medical College. The researchers looked at residential greenspace with a satellite image based metric called the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and measured attention, learning, speed and working memory in 13,594 women with an average age of 61. Adjusting for age, race and socioeconomic status the researchers found that living near greenspace was associated with processing speed and attention but not learning or working memory. The researchers also examined the role of air pollution and physical activity and found depression was a factor.