Does normobaric hypoxia sustain altitude acclimatization‐induced improvements in fluid intelligence during reintroduction to altitude?
Abstract
This study examined whether normobaric hypoxia (NH)treatment is more efficacious than no treatment for sustaining high altitude (HA)acclimatization‐induced improvements in cognitive function during re‐introduction to altitude (RA) following 12‐day return to sea level (SL). Sixteen SL residents (age=23±6 yrs; mean±SE) participated in tests in the following order: 1) 4 d at SL, 2) 12 d at HA (4300 m), 3) 12 d at SL post HA acclimatization(Post) where each received either NH (n=9; FiO2=0.122) or Sham (n=8; FiO2=0.207)treatment, and 4) 24‐h re‐introduction to 4300 m (RA) in a hypobaric chamber. Cognitive performance was assessed using eight tests from the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) battery as measured by the number of correct responses per minute after 4 hours at SL, HA1, HA11, and RA. Simple reaction time (SRT) and SRT following cognitive fatigue (SRT2) were used to assess psychomotor performance. Go/no‐go (GNG) was used to assess attention and execution function Code substitution delayed (CDD) and Sternberg‐six letter memory (ST6) were used to assess long‐term memory (one component of crystallized intelligence). Procedural reaction time (PRT), mathematical processing (MTH), and spatial discrimination(SPD) were used to assess fluid intelligence. There were no differences in any measure of cognitive performance between the NH and Sham groups so data were combined. The PRT and MTH, respectively, decreased ~17% from SL (119±3; 34±3) to HA1 (99±5; 28±2) (PAuthors' views not official U.S. Army or DoD policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.909.3
Entities
People
- Allen Cymerman
- Beth A. Beidleman
- Charles S. Fulco
- Ingrid V. Sils
- Janet E. Staab
- Stephen R. Muza
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research and Development Command
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine