By Carey Huang Class of 2025

How Noise Pollution Affects Cognitive Function: Evaluating the Effects of Noise Pollution on Cognitive Function in Drosophila melanogaster

Editor’s Note: The Taft STEM Research Fellowship is a yearlong, advanced study program for students pursuing interdisciplinary STEM research beyond the classroom. Fellows work closely with faculty and expert mentors, collaborate with peers, and apply their research to real-world problems, culminating in a public presentation to faculty and field professionals. The course combines independent scholarship with structured support and offers opportunities to explore research that bridges multiple STEM disciplines.

Abstract

Environmental noise pollution is linked to cognitive impairment, yet its sensory mechanisms are not fully understood. This study used Drosophila melanogaster to explore the effects of loud noise during feeding on cognitive performance, using food choice behavior as a proxy for decision-making. I hypothesized that wild-type flies would exhibit impaired cognitive function under noise, while deafened flies would remain unaffected. Flies were assigned to four groups: wild-type and deafened, each tested under noise and no-noise conditions. My results revealed that wild-type flies exposed to noise showed a significant shift in food choice distribution compared to silent conditions, suggesting impaired cognitive performance. In contrast, deafened flies did not display significant changes between conditions, underscoring the role of auditory input in mediating these effects. Although these findings support our hypothesis, further research is necessary to confirm the link between noise-induced sensory disruption and cognitive deficits, and to assess the broader implications for human cognition.

Poster

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