Effects on Cognitive Functioning of Acute, Subacute and Repeated Exposures to High Altitude
Abstract
Objective: Neurocognitive functions are affected by high altitude, however the altitude effects of acclimatization and repeated exposures are unclear. We investigated the effects of acute, subacute and repeated exposure to 5,050m on cognition among altitude-nave participants compared to control subjects tested at low altitude. Methods: Twenty-one altitude-nave individuals (25.3 3.8 years, 13 females) were exposed to 5,050m for 1 week (Cycle 1) and re-exposed after a week of rest at sea-level (Cycle 2). Baseline (BL, 520m), acute (Day 1, HA1) and acclimatization (Day 6, HA6, 5,050m) measurements were taken in both cycles. Seventeen control subjects (24.9 2.6 years, 12 females) were tested over a similar period in Calgary, Canada (1,103m). The Reaction Time (RTI), Attention Switching Task (AST), Rapid Visual Processing (RVP) and One Touch Stockings of Cambridge (OTS) tasks were administered and outcomes were expressed in milliseconds/frequencies. Lake Louise Score (LLS) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 21, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1081973
Entities
People
- Andrea B. Protzner
- Barry Giesbrecht
- Jean M. Rawling
- Julie Aitken
- Kaitlyn M. Bettauer
- Konrad E. Bloch
- Lara Muralt
- Lauren L. Drogos
- Marc J Poulin
- Matiram Pun
- Michael Furian
- Mona Lichtblau
- Patrick R. Bader
- Sara E. Hartmann
- Silvia Ulrich
- Veronica Guadagni
Organizations
- University of Calgary