Workplace noise exposure: Effects on cognition and psychological well-being linked to serum glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3ß) levels

Noise is an inevitable part of life, particularly in the workplace. Our goal was to determine psychological and cognitive morbidities associated with occupational noise exposure and their relation to serum GSK 3β. We recruited 80 male workers in a cross-sectional design ; 40 were the exposed group, and 40 were the control. Arabic version of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS 21), Montreal Cognitive Examination Basic (MoCA B) test, and serum GSK 3β were done for the studied groups. Noise-exposed workers were subjected to noise levels ranging from 80 to 86 dB. 37.5% of the exposed group showed statistically significant mild cognitive impairment compared to 15% of the controls. A statistically significant negative correlation existed between MoCA scores and noise exposure duration among the exposed. Serum GSK 3β levels were significantly higher among the exposed group compared to the control group . Additionally, workers with more severe psychological distress and cognitive deterioration also had higher levels of GSK 3β. Occupational noise exposure could negatively affect the cognitive and psychological health .