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Tao G, Ma H, Su Y. Effects of long-term exposure to high-altitude on episodic memory: The moderating role of daytime dysfunction. Physiol Behav 2024; 287:114700. [PMID: 39332594 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to high-altitude hypoxic environments may influence short-term memory and working memory. However, its impact on long-term memory, specifically episodic memory, remains understudied. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of long-term exposure to high altitude (3650 m) on episodic memory, including item memory and source memory. Moreover, we examined the moderating role of daytime dysfunction on the relationship between altitude and episodic memory. In total, 97 participants were enrolled in the study: 49 were from the high-altitude (HA) group, comprising those born and raised in low altitude (LA) areas (< 500 m) and had migrated to HA for 2∼3 years after turning 18; and 48 were from the LA group, who had never lived at high altitudes. Episodic memory was evaluated using a what-when-where task, whereas daytime dysfunction was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. For item memory, hit rate and correct rejection rate were significantly lower in the HA group relative to the LA group. For source binding memory, the performance in what-where binding and what-when-where binding were decreased in the HA group, but the what-when binding did not differ between the two groups. Furthermore, the effects of altitude on hit rate, what-where binding, and what-when-where binding were significantly pronounced in individuals with higher levels of daytime dysfunction. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to high-altitude hypoxic environments influences episodic memory performance, including item recognition and source-binding memory. Specifically, spatial source memory is affected by high-altitude exposure, whereas temporal source memory remains unaffected. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of considering sleep quality, especially good daytime function, in maintaining optimal episodic memory function following chronic exposure to high altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getong Tao
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Hailin Ma
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China.
| | - Yanjie Su
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Gatti M, Prete G, Perpetuini D, Bondi D, Verratti V, Quilici Matteucci F, Santangelo C, Annarumma S, Di Crosta A, Palumbo R, Merla A, Giaconia GC, Tommasi L, Mammarella N. The effects of real vs simulated high altitude on associative memory for emotional stimuli. Physiol Behav 2024; 287:114663. [PMID: 39128618 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to investigate the effects of normobaric hypoxia (NH) and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on associative memory performance for emotionally valenced stimuli. METHODS Two experiments were conducted. In Study 1, n = 18 undergraduates performed an associative memory task under three NH conditions (FiO2= 20.9 %, 15.1 %, 13.6 %) using a tent with a hypoxic generator. In Study 2, n = 20 participants were assessed in a field study at various altitudes on the Himalayan mountains, including the Pyramid Laboratory (5000 m above sea level), using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and behavioral assessments. RESULTS Study 1 revealed no significant differences in recognition accuracy across NH conditions. However, Study 2 showed a complex relationship between altitude and memory for emotionally valenced stimuli. At lower altitudes, participants more accurately recognized emotional stimuli compared to neutral ones, a trend that reversed at higher altitudes. Brain oxygenation varied with altitude, indicating adaptive cognitive processing, as revealed by fNIRS measurements. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that hypoxia affects associative memory and emotional processing in an altitude-dependent manner, highlighting adaptive cognitive mechanisms. Understanding the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on cognition and memory can help develop strategies to mitigate its impact in high-altitude and hypoxic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Gatti
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy
| | - Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy
| | - David Perpetuini
- Department of Engineering and Geology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | - Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vittore Verratti
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy.
| | | | - Carmen Santangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Salvatore Annarumma
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy
| | - Adolfo Di Crosta
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Merla
- Department of Engineering and Geology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | | | - Luca Tommasi
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- Department of Psychology, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, Chieti I-66013, Italy
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Guo F, Wang C, Tao G, Ma H, Zhang J, Wang Y. A longitudinal study on the impact of high-altitude hypoxia on perceptual processes. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14548. [PMID: 38385977 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the neural mechanisms underlying high-altitude (HA) adaptation and deadaptation in perceptual processes in lowlanders. Eighteen healthy lowlanders were administered a facial S1-S2 matching task that included incomplete face (S1) and complete face (S2) photographs combined with ERP technology. Participants were tested at four time points: shortly before they departed the HA (Test 1), twenty-five days after entering the HA (Test 2), and one week (Test 3) and one month (Test 4) after returning to the lowlands. Compared with those at sea level (SL), shorter reaction times (RTs), shorter latencies of P1 and N170, and larger amplitudes of complete face N170 were found in HAs. After returning to SL, compared with that of HA, the amplitude of the incomplete face P1 was smaller after one week, and the complete face was smaller after one month. The right hemisphere N170 amplitude was greater after entering HA and one week after returning to SL than at baseline, but it returned to baseline after one month. Taken together, the current findings suggest that HA adaptation increases visual cortex excitation to accelerate perceptual processing. More mental resources are recruited during the configural encoding stage of complete faces after HA exposure. The perceptual processes affected by HA exposure are reversible after returning to SL, but the low-level processing stage differs between incomplete and complete faces due to neural compensation mechanisms. The configural encoding stage in the right hemisphere is affected by HA exposure and requires more than one week but less than one month to recover to baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumei Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changming Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Getong Tao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Guangzhou/Tibet, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Su R, Jia S, Zhang N, Wang Y, Li H, Zhang D, Ma H, Su Y. The effects of long-term high-altitude exposure on cognition: A meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105682. [PMID: 38642865 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Long-term high altitudes (HA) exposure's impact on cognition has yielded inconsistent findings in previous research. To address this, we conducted a meta-analysis of 49 studies (6191 individuals) to comprehensively evaluate this effect. Moderating factors such as cognitive task type, altitude (1500-2500 m, 2500-4000 m, and above 4000 m), residential type (chronic and lifelong), adaptation level and demographic factors were analyzed. Cognitive tasks were classified into eight categories: perceptual processes, psychomotor function, long-term memory, working memory, inhibitory control, problem-solving, language, and others. Results revealed a moderate negative effect of HA on cognitive performance (g = -.40, SE =.18, 95% CI = -.76 to -.05). Psychomotor function and long-term memory notably experience the most pronounced decline, while working memory and language skills show moderate decreases due to HA exposure. However, perceptual processes, inhibitory control, and problem-solving abilities remain unaffected. Moreover, residing at altitudes above 4000 m and being a HA immigrant are associated with significant cognitive impairment. In summary, our findings indicate a selective adaptation of cognitive performance to HA conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Su
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China
| | - Shurong Jia
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China
| | - Niannian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China
| | - Yiyi Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa 85000, China
| | - Yanjie Su
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Li X, Ma H, Ding X, Jiang H, Zhang X. Impaired Neurological Activity in the Mental Rotation Ability of Tibetan Indigenous Residents After Chronic Exposure to High Altitude. Neuroscience 2023; 532:1-13. [PMID: 37739028 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Mental rotation is a core indicator of spatial ability, and a threshold for cognitive impairment may exist at approximately 4,000 m above sea level, but the specific thresholds for the severity of hypoxia in Tibetan indigenous populations in mental rotation ability remain largely unknown. To determine whether a threshold for mental rotation impairment exists in indigenous residents, we related a mental rotation task to inter-individual differences in a range of behavioral performance and neuropsychological characteristics across 51 indigenous Tibetan highlanders and 34 matched controls at three different altitudes (sea level, 2,900 m, and 4,200 m). Analyses of reaction time showed delayed behavioral responses in the 4,200 m altitude group. Further analyses of rotation-related negativity (RRN) revealed that the RRN was significantly more negative and the differences disappeared gradually for different angles among individuals exposed to an altitude of 4,200 m. Moreover, a time-frequency analysis showed significantly enhanced alpha- and beta-band power values for the 4,200 m altitude participants after stimulus presentation. The impairment in mental rotation ability is related to hypoxia and can be attributed to the absence of sufficient cognitive resources, which demonstrates the existence of a threshold for the effects of high altitude on the brain's mental rotation ability. Taken together, our findings have important implications for exploring the altitude threshold for the influence of high-altitude exposure on brain function, as well as for guiding the development of innovative strategies to optimize the response of the organism against chronic hypoxia-induced under extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Li
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China.
| | - Xiaobin Ding
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Heng Jiang
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuro-information, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Shanghai Pudong Development Bank of Tibet, Lhasa 850000, China.
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Liu Y, Hong J, Yin X, Zhang F, Guo Y, Sun P. Relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function of Chinese Tibetan adolescents aged 13-18. J Sci Med Sport 2023; 26:610-615. [PMID: 37739853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Explore the correlation between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and execution function (EF) of Chinese Tibetan adolescents at high altitude (HA) areas. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey was used to study 1138 participants aged 13-18 (47.72% boys) at baseline. METHODS Lhasa (3650 m), Nagqu (4500 m), Qamdo (3500 m), and Nyingchi (3100 m) in China were chosen. CRF was measured by the 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT) and a subsequent estimation of their maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max) was calculated using the Léger equations. The three core EFs (inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) were tested by a modified Eriksen flanker, N-back, and a more-odd shifting. The association between CRF and EF was explored by Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and stratified regression. RESULTS The reaction time (RT) of 1-back, cognitive flexibility with V̇O2max showed a declining trend, (F = 34.475, 27.498, P < 0.01). Interestingly, 2-back RT went up and then went down with V̇O2max. (F = 29.55, P < 0.01). After increasing V̇O2max as a variable, a stratified regression analysis with the RT for 1-back, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility showed that ΔR2 equaled 0.107 ms, 0.071 ms, and 0.091 ms, respectively (P < 0.01). With V̇O2max increased by 1 mL/kg/min, the RT of 1-back, 2-back, and cognitive flexibility shortened 14.697 ms, 15.689 ms, and 11.771 ms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CRF was positively associated with working memory, and cognitive flexibility development among Chinese Tibetan adolescents living at HA areas, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, China; Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, China
| | - Jun Hong
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, China; Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, China
| | - Xiaojian Yin
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, China; Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, China; College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, China; Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, China
| | - Yaru Guo
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, China; Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, China
| | - Pengwei Sun
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, China; Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, China
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Bao X, Zhang D, Li X, Liu M, Ma H. Long-term high-altitude exposure influences task-related representations in visual working memory. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1149623. [PMID: 37273714 PMCID: PMC10236478 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1149623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Human working memory is impaired when individuals are exposed to high altitudes, however, whether the capacity of visual working memory is affected remains unclear. This study combined a lateralized change detection task and event-related potentials analysis to explore changes in visual working memory capacity among individuals who emigrated from a low-altitude environment to Tibet (a high-altitude environment). Materials and methods Thirty-five college students were recruited from Tibet University as the high-altitude (HA) group, and thirty-six low-altitude (LA) students were enrolled from South China Normal University (sea level) as the LA group. We measured participants' contralateral delay activity (CDA) under different memory loads. Results ERP component analysis showed that both the HA and LA groups reached an asymptote at memory load four. However, the contralateral and ipsilateral activity of the HA and LA groups shows different patterns. The results showed a significantly larger contralateral activity for the LA group than for the HA group at memory load one (p = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.52) and load three (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.61). Additionally, we found marginally larger contralateral activity at memory load four for the LA group (p = 0.06, Cohen's d = 0.47), but not at memory load two (p = 0.10) or load five (p = 0.12). No significant differences were observed for ipsilateral activity. In addition, we observed that the HA group performed larger ipsilateral activity than contralateral activity under each memory load, compared with the LA group. Conclusion These findings demonstrated that the attentional resource of long-term HA exposure is more captured by task-irrelevant information, potentially due to impaired inhibitory control, which makes it difficult for them to exclude the interference of task-irrelevant information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Bao
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, People's Government of Qinghai Province, Xining, China
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Liu Y, Zhang F, Gan L, Shi L, Yin X, Guo Y, Sun P. Associations between waist circumference and executive function among Chinese Tibetan adolescents living at high altitude. Front Nutr 2023; 10:996785. [PMID: 37020808 PMCID: PMC10069088 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.996785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Associations between body composition and execution function (EF) were currently studied in low altitude (LA) areas. However, the research on the correlation between waist circumference (WC) and EF among adolescents living at high altitude (HA) was limited. Objective We sought to explore the association between WC and EF in Chinese Tibetan adolescents aged 13-18 years in HA areas. Methods After excluding invalid data and extreme values, 1,228 participants (583 boys and 645 girls) were eventually included. The areas of Lhasa (average elevation of 3650 m), Nagqu (4500 m), Qamdo (3500 m), and Nyingchi (3100 m) in China were chosen as study sites. Participants completed tasks to measure inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The predictive association between WC and EF was explored by One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis. Results After controlling for concomitant variables, the reaction time (RT) of responding to inhibitory control (difference incongruent and congruent), working memory (1-back, 2-back), and cognitive flexibility (heterogeneous, difference in heterogeneous and homogeneous) stimuli in subjects with WC ≥ 85th percentile was longer than that in those with WC of the 15th percentile or below [by 1.785 ms (95% CI: 0.078, 3.491), 208.734 ms (95% CI: 96.886, 320.582), 106.679 ms (95% CI: 16.485, 196.873), 82.307 ms (95% CI: 19.171, 145.442), and 58.397 ms (95% CI: 0.343,116.452), respectively], (P < 0.05). Conclusion After adjustment for concomitant variables, WC was significantly positively associated with the RT of inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility among Chinese Tibetan adolescents in HA areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leimin Gan
- Department of Physical Education, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Shi
- Research Department of Primary Education and Preschool Education, Shanghai Teacher Training Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojian Yin
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojian Yin,
| | - Yaru Guo
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengwei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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An X, Tao G, Zhang X, Ma H, Wang Y. Attention Network Changes of High-Altitude Migrants. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2022; 93:791-799. [DOI: 10.3357/amhp.6061.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to explore whether there are changes in the alerting, orienting, and executive network efficiencies of attention function between high altitude immigrants and low altitude residents.METHODS: Event-related potentials (ERP) were
acquired during an attention network test (ANT). The high-altitude (HA) group comprised 22 college student immigrants who were born and raised at low altitudes and had lived at a HA (11,975 ft/3650 m) for 26 mo (tests were conducted when they returned to HA for 3 mo). The low-altitude (LA)
group comprised 23 college students who had never visited HA areas before.RESULTS: Compared with the LA group, the HA group had a higher pulse rate, lower oxygen saturation level, and decreased alerting and orienting effects in the behavioral results. The ERP results of the HA group
showed a smaller P1 in the occipital area, a larger N1 both in the parietal and occipital areas of the alerting network, and a smaller P1 and larger N1 in the orienting network than the LA group. In the executive control network, the N2 amplitude of the HA group was more negative and the P3
amplitude of the HA group decreased in incongruent conditions.DISCUSSION: Together, these findings suggest that high-altitude migrants are less effective at alerting and orienting than low-altitude residents. For executive control function, changes in the P3 amplitudes of incongruent
conditions indicated a decrease in conflict inhibition underlying the executive-control network.An X, Tao G, Zhang X, Ma H, Wang Y. Attention network changes of high-altitude migrants. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(11):791–799.
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Zhang X, Zhang J. The human brain in a high altitude natural environment: A review. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:915995. [PMID: 36188182 PMCID: PMC9520777 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.915995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advancement of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, more detailed information about the human brain at high altitude (HA) has been revealed. The present review aimed to draw a conclusion regarding changes in the human brain in both unacclimatized and acclimatized states in a natural HA environment. Using multiple advanced analysis methods that based on MRI as well as electroencephalography, the modulations of brain gray and white matter morphology and the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying processing of cognitive activity have been explored in certain extent. The visual, motor and insular cortices are brain regions seen to be consistently affected in both HA immigrants and natives. Current findings regarding cortical electrophysiological and blood dynamic signals may be related to cardiovascular and respiratory regulations, and may clarify the mechanisms underlying some behaviors at HA. In general, in the past 10 years, researches on the brain at HA have gone beyond cognitive tests. Due to the sample size is not large enough, the current findings in HA brain are not very reliable, and thus much more researches are needed. Moreover, the histological and genetic bases of brain structures at HA are also needed to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjuan Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Jiaxing Zhang,
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Chen X, Zhou A, Li J, Chen B, Zhou X, Ma H, Lu C, Weng X. Effects of Long-Term Exposure to 2260 m Altitude on Working Memory and Resting-State Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex: A Large-Sample Cross-Sectional Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091148. [PMID: 36138884 PMCID: PMC9496949 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been well established that very-high-altitude (>4000 m) environments can affect human cognitive function and brain activity. However, the effects of long-term exposure to moderate altitudes (2000−3000 m) on cognitive function and brain activity are not well understood. In the present cross-sectional study, we utilized an N-back working memory task and resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy to examine the effects of two years of exposure to 2260 m altitude on working memory and resting-state brain activity in 208 college students, compared with a control group at the sea level. The results showed that there was no significant change in spatial working memory performance after two years of exposure to 2260 m altitude. In contrast, the analysis of resting-state brain activity revealed changes in functional connectivity patterns in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), with the global efficiency increased and the local efficiency decreased after two years of exposure to 2260 m altitude. These results suggest that long-term exposure to moderate altitudes has no observable effect on spatial working memory performance, while significant changes in functional connectivity and brain network properties could possibly occur to compensate for the effects of mild hypoxic environments. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the resting state activity in the PFC associated with working memory in people exposed to moderate altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Research Center of Plateau Brain Science, Tibet University/South China University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Aibao Zhou
- College of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Junle Li
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Chunming Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Xuchu Weng
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Research Center of Plateau Brain Science, Tibet University/South China University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (X.W.)
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12
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Zhang F, Yin X, Liu Y, Li M, Gui X, Bi C. Association Between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Executive Function Among Chinese Tibetan Adolescents at High Altitude. Front Nutr 2022; 9:939256. [PMID: 35832051 PMCID: PMC9271939 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.939256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To estimate the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and executive function (EF) among Chinese Tibetan adolescents. Method Using three stages by stratified cluster sampling, 1,427 Chinese Tibetan adolescents were recruited from Tibet, China. SSB consumption status was obtained by questionnaires and the three core EFs (inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) were tested by a modified Eriksen flanker task, N-back shift, and a more-odd shifting task. One-way ANOVA or Chi-square test was used to compare SSB consumption in different categories. Taking the SSB consumption 0 time/week group as the reference, general linear regression (for continuous variable) or Logical regression (classified variable) in three Models was conducted to analyze the relationship between SSB consumption and EF for Chinese Tibetan children and adolescents. Result After adjustment of all the covariant in Model 2, all the EF indexes were higher in Chinese Tibetan adolescents with SSB consumption ≥2 times/week than that with SSB consumption of 0 times/week by 21.33 ms (95%CI: 6.72, 35.93), 8.21 ms (95%CI: 7.06, 9.35), 90.46 ms (95%CI: 28.69, 152.23), 147.61 ms (95%CI: 81.42, 213.80), 116.18 ms (95%CI: 74.48, 157.87), 112.41 ms (95%CI: 71.30, 153.52) for incongruent RT, RT difference in incongruent and congruent, 1-back RT, 2-back RT, Heterogeneous RT, RT difference in Heterogeneous and Homogeneous respectively. Conclusions The results suggested that SSB consumption was associated with poorer EF in Chinese Tibetan adolescents. SSB consumption should be controlled for healthy brain development of Chinese Tibetan adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojian Yin
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoying Gui
- Lhasa Beijing Experimental Middle School, Lhasa, China
| | - Cunjian Bi
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Li Y, Wang Y. Effects of Long-Term Exposure to High Altitude Hypoxia on Cognitive Function and Its Mechanism: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:808. [PMID: 35741693 PMCID: PMC9221409 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive function is affected by low pressure and hypoxia in high-altitude environments, and is regulated by altitude and exposure time. With the economic development in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the increase in work and study activities, as well as the development of plateau tourism, mountaineering, and other activities, the number of plateau immigrants is increasing daily. Long-term hypoxia challenges human physical and mental health, restricts work efficiency, and thus affects plateau economic development and human wellbeing. Therefore, it is of scientific and social significance to study how long-term exposure to the hypoxic plateau environment affects the physical and mental health of lowlanders as part of the ongoing development of the current plateau region. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress and mechanism of the effects of long-term (≥1 year) high-altitude (>2500 m) hypoxia exposure on the cognitive function of lowlanders, and suggested that the scope and sample size of the research should be expanded in the future, and that follow-up studies should be carried out to explore the time threshold of cognitive impairment and its compensatory or repair mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Center on Aging Psychology, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China;
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Center on Aging Psychology, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China;
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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14
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Zhang YQ, Zhang WJ, Liu JH, Ji WZ. Effects of Chronic Hypoxic Environment on Cognitive Function and Neuroimaging Measures in a High-Altitude Population. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:788322. [PMID: 35601614 PMCID: PMC9122256 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.788322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term hypoxic environment exposure on cognitive ability and neuroimaging characteristics in a highland population in China. Methods Health system workers in Maduo County (4,300 m above sea level) and Minhe County (1,700 m above sea level) were selected as research participants and divided into a high-altitude (HA) group and low-altitude (LA) group, respectively. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT), Digit Span Test (DST), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). All participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, resting state functional MRI scan, and diffusion tensor imaging to clarify changes in regional gray matter (GM) volume, anisotropy index (FA), local consistency (ReHo), and low-frequency oscillation amplitude (ALFF). Results The HA group had significantly lower MoCA, DST, VFT, RAVLT, and TMT scores compared to the control group. No significant differences were found in SDMT score. Furthermore, compared to the LA group, the HA group had significantly lower GM density of the left olfactory cortex, right medial orbital superior frontal gyrus, bilateral insula, left globus pallidus, and temporal lobe (left superior temporal gyrus temporal pole, bilateral middle temporal gyrus temporal pole, and right middle temporal gyrus). In terms of FA, compared with the LA group, the HA group had lower values for the corpus callosum, corpus callosum knee, bilateral radiative corona, and left internal capsule. The HA group had lower ALFF values of the left cerebellum, left putamen, left orbital inferior frontal gyrus, and left precuneus, but higher ALFF values of the left fusiform gyrus, bilateral inferior temporal gyrus, left orbital superior frontal gyrus and medial superior frontal gyrus, compared to the LA group. There was no significant group difference in ReHo values. Conclusion Our findings suggest that a chronic hypoxic environment can induce extensive cognitive impairment. Decreased GM density in multiple brain regions, damaged nerve fibers, and unbalanced neuronal activity intensity in different brain regions may be the structural and functional basis of cognitive impairment due to hypoxia.
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15
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Committeri G, Bondi D, Sestieri C, Di Matteo G, Piervincenzi C, Doria C, Ruffini R, Baldassarre A, Pietrangelo T, Sepe R, Navarra R, Chiacchiaretta P, Ferretti A, Verratti V. Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Correlates of High-Altitude Hypoxia Trekking During the "Gokyo Khumbu/Ama Dablam" Expedition. High Alt Med Biol 2022; 23:57-68. [PMID: 35104160 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2021.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Committeri Giorgia, Danilo Bondi, Carlo Sestieri, Ginevra Di Matteo, Claudia Piervincenzi, Christian Doria, Roberto Ruffini, Antonello Baldassarre, Tiziana Pietrangelo, Rosamaria Sepe, Riccardo Navarra, Piero Chiacchiaretta, Antonio Ferretti, and Vittore Verratti. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging correlates of high-altitude hypoxia trekking during the "Gokyo Khumbu/Ama Dablam" expedition. High Alt Med Biol 00:000-000, 2021. Background: Altitude hypoxia exposure may produce cognitive detrimental adaptations and damage to the brain. We aimed at investigating the effects of trekking and hypoxia on neuropsychological and neuroimaging measures. Methods: We recruited two balanced groups of healthy adults, trekkers (n = 12, 6 F and 6 M, trekking in altitude hypoxia) and controls (gender- and age-matched), who were tested before (baseline), during (5,000 m, after 9 days of trekking), and after the expedition for state anxiety, depression, verbal fluency, verbal short-term memory, and working memory. Personality and trait anxiety were also assessed at a baseline level. Neuroimaging measures of cerebral perfusion (arterial spin labeling), white-matter microstructural integrity (diffusion tensor imaging), and resting-state functional connectivity (functional magnetic resonance imaging) were assessed before and after the expedition in the group of trekkers. Results: At baseline, the trekkers showed lower trait anxiety (p = 0.003) and conscientiousness (p = 0.03) than the control group. State anxiety was lower in the trekkers throughout the study (p < 0.001), and state anxiety and depression decreased at the end of the study in both groups (p = 0.043 and p = 0.007, respectively). Verbal fluency increased at the end of the study in both groups (p < 0.001), whereas verbal short-term memory and working memory performance did not change. No significant differences between before and after the expedition were found for neuroimaging measures. Conclusions: We argue that the observed differences in the neuropsychological measures mainly reflect aspecific familiarity and learning effects due to the repeated execution of the same questionnaires and task. The present results thus suggest that detrimental effects on neuropsychological and neuroimaging measures do not necessarily occur as a consequence of short-term exposure to altitude hypoxia up to 5,000 m, especially in the absence of altitude sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Committeri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carlo Sestieri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ginevra Di Matteo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Christian Doria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruffini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonello Baldassarre
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pietrangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Navarra
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Chiacchiaretta
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vittore Verratti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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16
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Bao H, He X, Wang F, Kang D. Study of Brain Structure and Function in Chronic Mountain Sickness Based on fMRI. Front Neurol 2022; 12:763835. [PMID: 35069409 PMCID: PMC8777079 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.763835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Headache and memory impairment are the primary clinical symptoms of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). In this study, we used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and the amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation method (ALFF) based on blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) to identify changes in the brain structure and function caused by CMS. Materials and Methods: T1W anatomical images and a resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) of the whole brain were performed in 24 patients diagnosed with CMS and 25 normal controls matched for age, sex, years of education, and living altitude. MRI images were acquired, followed by VBM and ALFF data analyses. Results: Compared with the control group, the CMS group had increased gray matter volume in the left cerebellum crus II area, left inferior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right insula, right caudate nucleus, and bilateral lentiform nucleus along with decreased gray matter volume in the left middle occipital gyrus and left middle temporal gyrus. White matter was decreased in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus and increased in the right Heschl's gyrus. Resting-state fMRI in patients with CMS showed increased spontaneous brain activity in the left supramarginal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus along with decreased spontaneous brain activity in the right cerebellum crus I area and right supplementary motor area. Conclusion: Patients with CMS had differences in gray and white matter volume and abnormal spontaneous brain activity in multiple brain regions compared to the controls. This suggests that long-term chronic hypoxia may induce changes in brain structure and function, resulting in CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihua Bao
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Dongjie Kang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
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17
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Wang J, Zheng L, Wang Z, Wu X, Ma N, Zhang T, Chen K, Biswal BB, Yang Q, Ma H. Alteration of Behavioral Inhibitory Control in High-Altitude Immigrants. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:712278. [PMID: 34955775 PMCID: PMC8703013 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.712278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral inhibitory control (BIC) acts as a key cognitive ability, which is essential for humans to withhold inappropriate behaviors. Meanwhile, many studies reported that long-term exposure to high altitude (HA) may affect cognitive ability. However, it is not clear whether long-term exposure to HAs may affect the BIC of an individual. To clarify the role of altitude in the behavioral control of adults and the underlying neural mechanism, we explored the BIC neural activity profiles of healthy immigrants from low-altitude (LA) regions to HA regions. Combining a two-choice oddball paradigm and electrophysiological techniques, this study monitored the N2 and P3 event-related components and neural oscillations across LA and HA groups. Results showed longer reaction times (RTs) for the HA group than the LA group. Relative to the LA group, lower N2 and P3 amplitudes were observed for the HA group. Significant positive correlations were also found between P3 amplitude and theta/delta band power across both groups. Importantly, lower theta/delta band powers were only observed for the HA group under the deviant condition. Collectively, these findings suggest that long-term exposure to HAs may attenuate BIC during the response inhibition stage and provide valuable insights into the neurocognitive implications of environmental altitude on BIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazheng Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Liqin Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zedong Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Center for Mental Health Development and Research, Xihua University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Center for Mental Health Development and Research, Xihua University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bharat B Biswal
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qun Yang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China.,Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Falla M, Giardini G, Angelini C. Recommendations for traveling to altitude with neurological disorders. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2021; 13:11795735211053448. [PMID: 34955663 PMCID: PMC8695750 DOI: 10.1177/11795735211053448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several neurological conditions might worsen with the exposure to high altitude (HA). The aim of this review was to summarize the available knowledge on the neurological HA illnesses and the risk for people with neurological disorders to attend HA locations. METHODS A search of literature was conducted for several neurological disorders in PubMed and other databases since 1970. The neurological conditions searched were migraine, different cerebrovascular disease, intracranial space occupying mass, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, neuromuscular disorders, epileptic seizures, delirium, dementia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). RESULTS Attempts were made to classify the risk posed by each condition and to provide recommendations regarding medical evaluation and advice for or against traveling to altitude. Individual cases should be advised after careful examination and risk evaluation performed either in an outpatient mountain medicine service or by a physician with knowledge of HA risks. Preliminary diagnostic methods and anticipation of neurological complications are needed. CONCLUSIONS Our recommendations suggest absolute contraindications to HA exposure for the following neurological conditions: (1) Unstable conditions-such as recent strokes, (2) Diabetic neuropathy, (3) Transient ischemic attack in the last month, (4) Brain tumors, and 5. Neuromuscular disorders with a decrease of forced vital capacity >60%. We consider the following relative contraindications where decision has to be made case by case: (1) Epilepsy based on recurrence of seizure and stabilization with the therapy, (2) PD (± obstructive sleep apnea syndrome-OSAS), (3) Mild Cognitive Impairment (± OSAS), and (4) Patent foramen ovale and migraine have to be considered risk factors for acute mountain sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency
Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences,
CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Guido Giardini
- Mountain Medicine and Neurology
Centre, Valle D’Aosta Regional
Hospital, Aosta, Italy
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19
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Qiu Q, Lv P, Zhongshen Y, Yuan F, Zhang X, Zhou X, Li S, Liu X, Zhang J. Electrophysiological mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced deficits in visual spatial and non-spatial discrimination. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e15036. [PMID: 34558212 PMCID: PMC8461214 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired visual cognition in residents of hypoxic environment has been widely reported; however, the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 23 college students underwent three sessions of a Clock task test before a 30-day high-altitude exposure (Test 1) and 1 week (Test 2) and 3 months (Test 3) after they returned to lowlands. The Clock task consists of a visual spatial angle and a visual non-spatial color discrimination subtask. Simultaneously, electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded during the Clock task. The behavioral results showed that, compared with Test 1, accuracy in Test 2 was significantly decreased in both the Angle and Color tasks, and reaction time (RT) was significantly increased in the Angle task. The event-related potentials results showed that, during both tasks amplitudes of the occipital N1 and P3 components during both tasks were significantly decreased in Test 2, compared with Test 1. Moreover, N1 amplitude was negatively correlated with RT and positively correlated with accuracy. Further time-frequency EEG analysis showed that theta power at occipital sites was significantly decreased in both tasks in Test 2, compared with Test 1, and was negatively correlated with RT in the Angle task. In Test 3, both the behavioral performance and EEG activity recovered to the baseline level in Test 1. These findings suggested that hypoxia impairs both visual spatial and visual non-spatial discriminations, and these impairments can recover after subjects return to lowlands. Inhibition of brain electrophysiological activity in the visual cortex may explain the deficits in visual cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Qiu
- Institute of Brain Diseases and CognitionSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Pengpeng Lv
- Department of Clinical MedicineSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Yihao Zhongshen
- Department of Traditional Chinese MedicineSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Fengjuan Yuan
- Institute of Brain Diseases and CognitionSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Xinjuan Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and CognitionSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Xiuzhu Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Shanhua Li
- Institute of Brain Diseases and CognitionSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Institute of PsychologySchool of Public PolicyXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and CognitionSchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
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20
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Ji W, Zhang Y, Ge RL, Wan Y, Liu J. NMDA Receptor-Mediated Excitotoxicity Is Involved in Neuronal Apoptosis and Cognitive Impairment Induced by Chronic Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure at High Altitude. High Alt Med Biol 2021; 22:45-57. [PMID: 33252277 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2020.0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Weizhong Ji
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Loint Research Key Lab for High Altitude Medicine), Xining, China
- Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Yaqing Zhang
- Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Ri-li Ge
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Loint Research Key Lab for High Altitude Medicine), Xining, China
| | - Yaqi Wan
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Loint Research Key Lab for High Altitude Medicine), Xining, China
- Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, China
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21
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Bondi D, Verratti V, Nori R, Piccardi L, Prete G, Pietrangelo T, Tommasi L. Spatial Abilities at High Altitude: Exploring the Role of Cultural Strategies and Hypoxia. High Alt Med Biol 2021; 22:157-165. [PMID: 33416426 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2020.0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bondi, Danilo, Vittore Verratti, Raffaella Nori, Laura Piccardi, Giulia Prete, Tiziana Pietrangelo, and Luca Tommasi. Spatial abilities at high altitude: Exploring the role of cultural strategies and hypoxia. High Alt Med Biol. 22: 157-165, 2021. Background: Over the past couple of decades, the number of people of different cultures traveling to places of high altitude (HA) increased. At HA, a decline in cognitive abilities has been described, including spatial skills. However, it is still unknown whether people accustomed to hypobaric hypoxia are less susceptible to cognitive decline. Method: We aimed to determine if three ethnic groups would show any difference in the performance of spatial abilities. Italian trekkers (46.20 ± 15.83 years), Nepalese porters (30.33 ± 8.55 years), and lowlander and highlander Sherpas (30.33 ± 8.55 and 37.00 ± 16.51 years) were tested with a building photograph recognition, a map orienting, and a mental rotation task during a Himalayan expedition. Accuracy and response times were collected at low altitude (LA) and HA. Results: Nepalese performed the worst (photograph task: p = 0.015, η2p = 0.36; map task: p = 0.016, η2p = 0.36), but the difference was mitigated after correcting for length of schooling. Participants took more time to respond at LA than in HA condition (photograph task: 24.0 ± 15.3 seconds vs. 12.7 ± 6.3 seconds, p = 0.008, η2p = 0.57; map task: 12.5 ± 1.8 seconds vs. 7.8 ± 0.6 seconds, p = 0.038, η2p = 0.40). In the map task, participants performed with greater accuracy at LA (5.1 ± 0.4 vs. 4.4 ± 0.4 number of correct responses, p = 0.006, η2p = 0.59). Conclusions: Altitude hypoxia elicited impairments in cognitive spatial tasks. This may be due to the inability to acquire new unfamiliar patterns, and to the difficulty in managing a high cognitive workload. The ethnic differences were ascribed to schooling, even we consider the different system of reference usually exploited in each culture (egocentric: dependent, or allocentric: independent from the personal viewpoint), and that Westerners are more likely to focus on specific details of the scene. Further studies should investigate the diverse strategies to complete spatial tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences and Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti - Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vittore Verratti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti - Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Raffaella Nori
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti - Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pietrangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences and Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti - Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luca Tommasi
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti - Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Li S, Han C, Asmaro K, Quan S, Li M, Ren C, Zhang J, Zhao W, Xu J, Liu Z, Zhang P, Zhu L, Ding Y, Wang K, Ji X, Duan L. Remote Ischemic Conditioning Improves Attention Network Function and Blood Oxygen Levels in Unacclimatized Adults Exposed to High Altitude. Aging Dis 2020; 11:820-827. [PMID: 32765948 PMCID: PMC7390527 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) confers protection on major organs from hypoxic/ischemic injuries; however, its impacts on attention network function and blood oxygen levels in unacclimatized adults exposed to high altitudes have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we recruited 120 healthy male volunteers, of which one was exposed to high altitude and the other was exposed to low altitude. The two cohorts were further divided into RIC and sham control groups. The attentional network test (ANT) was performed to evaluate cognitive function before and after RIC treatment. Other outcomes such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, cerebral tissue oxygenation index (CTOI), and cerebrovascular hemodynamic indices were also evaluated. Prior to RIC treatment, there were no significant differences in orienting or executive function between the treatment and control arms of either cohort. Alerting function was significantly lower in the high-altitude cohort than in the low-altitude cohort. There were significant reductions in both blood oxygen and CTOI in the high-altitude cohort relative to the low-altitude cohort, while the pulse index (PI) of the former cohort was significantly increased. After RIC treatment, there was a significant difference in alerting function between the high-altitude RIC group and its associated control. The CTOI of the treatment group increased from 60.39±3.40% to 62.78±4.40%, and blood oxygenation also improved. Furthermore, this group showed a significant reduction in its PI. Exposure to high-altitude environments had a significant impact on alerting function, blood oxygen, CTOI, and PI. RIC ameliorated changes in attentional function, as well as blood oxygen and CTOI, suggesting that it potentially alters cerebrovascular compliance upon exposure to high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Li
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Han
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,2Department of Neurosurgery, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Karam Asmaro
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shanyi Quan
- 4Department of Health, Xizang Military Region of PLA, Xizang, China
| | - Ming Li
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Changhong Ren
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- 5Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wenbo Zhao
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Liu
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Zhu
- 6Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Science, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchuan Ding
- 7Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- 5Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xunming Ji
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lian Duan
- 1Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,2Department of Neurosurgery, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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23
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Yaple ZA, Stevens WD, Arsalidou M. Meta-analyses of the n-back working memory task: fMRI evidence of age-related changes in prefrontal cortex involvement across the adult lifespan. Neuroimage 2019; 196:16-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.03.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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24
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Chen X, Li H, Zhang Q, Wang J, Zhang W, Liu J, Li B, Xin Z, Liu J, Yin H, Chen J, Kong Y, Luo W. Combined fractional anisotropy and subcortical volumetric abnormalities in healthy immigrants to high altitude: A longitudinal study. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:4202-4212. [PMID: 31206892 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of individuals at high-altitude (HA) exposure provides an important opportunity for unraveling physiological and psychological mechanism of brain underlying hypoxia condition. However, this has rarely been assessed longitudinally. We aim to explore the cognitive and cerebral microstructural alterations after chronic HA exposure. We recruited 49 college freshmen who immigrated to Tibet and followed up for 2 years. Control group consisted of 49 gender and age-matched subjects from sea level. Neuropsychological tests were also conducted to determine whether the subjects' cognitive function had changed in response to chronic HA exposure. Surface-based cortical and subcortical volumes were calculated from structural magnetic resonance imaging data, and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis of white matter (WM) fractional anisotropy (FA) based on diffusion weighted images were performed. Compared to healthy controls, the high-altitude exposed individuals showed significantly lower accuracy and longer reaction times in memory tests. Significantly decreased gray matter volume in the caudate region and significant FA changes in multiple WM tracts were observed for HA immigrants. Furthermore, differences in subcortical volume and WM integration were found to be significantly correlated with the cognitive changes after 2 years' HA exposure. Cognitive functions such as working memory and psychomotor function were found to be impaired during chronic HA. Differences of brain subcortical volumes and WM integration between HA and sea-level participants indicated potential impairments in the brain structural modifications and microstructural integrity of WM tracts after HA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiye Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Network Center, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Baojuan Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhenlong Xin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Yin
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Tibet Military Region, Lhasa, China
| | - Jingyuan Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yazhuo Kong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Luo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
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25
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Ma H, Zhang D, Li X, Ma H, Wang N, Wang Y. Long-term exposure to high altitude attenuates verbal and spatial working memory: Evidence from an event-related potential study. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01256. [PMID: 30891949 PMCID: PMC6456776 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine the neurocognitive basis underlying the effects of long-term high-altitude (HA) exposure on working memory (WM). METHODS Using event-related potentials (ERPs), we compared the performance of an HA group (individuals who had lived at HA for 3 years but were born and raised at low altitude [LA]) to that of an LA group (individuals who had only lived at LA) on verbal and spatial n-back tasks (i.e., 1- and 2-back memory load). RESULTS Response accuracy of the HA group was significantly decreased in comparison to the LA group in both the verbal and spatial 2-back tasks. The P2 amplitude was larger in the HA than in the LA group in the spatial, but not the verbal 2-back task. A smaller late-positive potential (LPP) amplitude was found in the HA group in both the verbal and spatial 2-back tasks. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that HA impairs the matching (P2) process in spatial WM tasks and the maintenance (LPP) process in both verbal and spatial WM tasks, indicating that HA had a different effect on verbal and spatial 2-back task performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Ma
- Center on Aging PsychologyCAS Key Laboratory of Mental HealthInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina
- Plateau Brain Science Research CenterTibet University/South China Normal UniversityGuangzhou/TibetChina
| | - Delong Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research CenterTibet University/South China Normal UniversityGuangzhou/TibetChina
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of PsychologySouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuebing Li
- Center on Aging PsychologyCAS Key Laboratory of Mental HealthInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina
| | - Huifang Ma
- College of ManagementTianjin UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Niannian Wang
- Plateau Brain Science Research CenterTibet University/South China Normal UniversityGuangzhou/TibetChina
| | - Yan Wang
- Center on Aging PsychologyCAS Key Laboratory of Mental HealthInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina
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26
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Bailey DM, Brugniaux JV, Filipponi T, Marley CJ, Stacey B, Soria R, Rimoldi SF, Cerny D, Rexhaj E, Pratali L, Salmòn CS, Murillo Jáuregui C, Villena M, Smirl JD, Ogoh S, Pietri S, Scherrer U, Sartori C. Exaggerated systemic oxidative-inflammatory-nitrosative stress in chronic mountain sickness is associated with cognitive decline and depression. J Physiol 2019; 597:611-629. [PMID: 30397919 PMCID: PMC6332753 DOI: 10.1113/jp276898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is a maladaptation syndrome encountered at high altitude (HA) characterised by severe hypoxaemia that carries a higher risk of stroke and migraine and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We examined if exaggerated oxidative-inflammatory-nitrosative stress (OXINOS) and corresponding decrease in vascular nitric oxide bioavailability in patients with CMS (CMS+) is associated with impaired cerebrovascular function and adverse neurological outcome. Systemic OXINOS was markedly elevated in CMS+ compared to healthy HA (CMS-) and low-altitude controls. OXINOS was associated with blunted cerebral perfusion and vasoreactivity to hypercapnia, impaired cognition and, in CMS+, symptoms of depression. These findings are the first to suggest that a physiological continuum exists for hypoxaemia-induced systemic OXINOS in HA dwellers that when excessive is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and depression, helping identify those in need of more specialist neurological assessment and targeted support. ABSTRACT Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is a maladaptation syndrome encountered at high altitude (HA) characterised by severe hypoxaemia that carries a higher risk of stroke and migraine and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The present cross-sectional study examined to what extent exaggerated systemic oxidative-inflammatory-nitrosative stress (OXINOS), defined by an increase in free radical formation and corresponding decrease in vascular nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, is associated with impaired cerebrovascular function, accelerated cognitive decline and depression in CMS. Venous blood was obtained from healthy male lowlanders (80 m, n = 17), and age- and gender-matched HA dwellers born and bred in La Paz, Bolivia (3600 m) with (CMS+, n = 23) and without (CMS-, n = 14) CMS. We sampled blood for oxidative (electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, HPLC), nitrosative (ozone-based chemiluminescence) and inflammatory (fluorescence) biomarkers. We employed transcranial Doppler ultrasound to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reactivity. We utilised psychometric tests and validated questionnaires to assess cognition and depression. Highlanders exhibited elevated systemic OXINOS (P < 0.05 vs. lowlanders) that was especially exaggerated in the more hypoxaemic CMS+ patients (P < 0.05 vs. CMS-). OXINOS was associated with blunted cerebral perfusion and vasoreactivity to hypercapnia, impaired cognition and, in CMS+, symptoms of depression. Collectively, these findings are the first to suggest that a physiological continuum exists for hypoxaemia-induced OXINOS in HA dwellers that when excessive is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and depression, helping identify those in need of specialist neurological assessment and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian M. Bailey
- Neurovascular Research LaboratoryFaculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South WalesUK
| | - Julien V. Brugniaux
- Neurovascular Research LaboratoryFaculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South WalesUK
- HP2 Laboratory, INSERM U1042Grenoble Alpes UniversityGrenobleFrance
| | - Teresa Filipponi
- Neurovascular Research LaboratoryFaculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South WalesUK
| | - Christopher J. Marley
- Neurovascular Research LaboratoryFaculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South WalesUK
| | - Benjamin Stacey
- Neurovascular Research LaboratoryFaculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South WalesUK
| | - Rodrigo Soria
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical ResearchUniversity HospitalBernSwitzerland
| | - Stefano F. Rimoldi
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical ResearchUniversity HospitalBernSwitzerland
| | - David Cerny
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical ResearchUniversity HospitalBernSwitzerland
| | - Emrush Rexhaj
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical ResearchUniversity HospitalBernSwitzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan D. Smirl
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise ScienceUniversity of British Columbia OkanaganKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | | | | | - Urs Scherrer
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical ResearchUniversity HospitalBernSwitzerland
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de BiologíaUniversidad de TarapacáAricaChile
| | - Claudio Sartori
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity HospitalUNIL‐LausanneSwitzerland
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27
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Cramer NP, Korotcov A, Bosomtwi A, Xu X, Holman DR, Whiting K, Jones S, Hoy A, Dardzinski BJ, Galdzicki Z. Neuronal and vascular deficits following chronic adaptation to high altitude. Exp Neurol 2018; 311:293-304. [PMID: 30321497 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We sought to understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits that are reported to affect non-native subjects following their prolonged stay and/or work at high altitude (HA). We found that mice exposed to a simulated environment of 5000 m exhibit deficits in hippocampal learning and memory accompanied by abnormalities in brain MR imaging. Exposure (1-8 months) to HA led to an increase in brain ventricular volume, a reduction in relative cerebral blood flow and changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) derived parameters within the hippocampus and corpus callosum. Furthermore, neuropathological examination revealed significant expansion of the neurovascular network, microglia activation and demyelination within the corpus callosum. Electrophysiological recordings from the corpus callosum indicated that axonal excitabilities are increased while refractory periods are longer despite a lack of change in action potential conduction velocities of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Next generation RNA-sequencing identified alterations in hippocampal and amygdala transcriptome signaling pathways linked to angiogenesis, neuroinflammation and myelination. Our findings reveal that exposure to hypobaric-hypoxia triggers maladaptive responses inducing cognitive deficits and suggest potential mechanisms underlying the adverse impacts of staying or traveling at high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Cramer
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alexandru Korotcov
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Asamoah Bosomtwi
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xiufen Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Derek R Holman
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Molecular & Cell Biology Graduate Program, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, MD, United States
| | - Kathleen Whiting
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Scott Jones
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Andrew Hoy
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Bernard J Dardzinski
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zygmunt Galdzicki
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States; Molecular & Cell Biology Graduate Program, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, MD, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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28
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Ma H, Li X, Liu M, Ma H, Zhang D. Mental Rotation Effect on Adult Immigrants with Long-term Exposure to High Altitude in Tibet: An ERP Study. Neuroscience 2018; 386:339-350. [PMID: 30049664 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human spatial manipulation ability is sensitive to high-altitude (HA) environment. The present study aimed to investigate the electrophysiological basis of spatial manipulation ability on adult immigrants with long-term HA exposure using the mental rotation (MR) task and the ERP approach. Toward this end, we explored the MR effect in individuals who immigrated to HA areas for three years compared with individuals who lived in low altitude areas. We found that the reaction time related to the MR effect was significantly slower in the HA group than that of the low-altitude group. The ERP component analysis further indicated that the rotation-related negativity (RRN) amplitude was highly corresponding to the MR effect in each group, the RRN amplitude was significantly larger in the HA group than the low-altitude group related to each rotation angle condition. The brain topographical map further showed that only the right hemisphere regions instead of the bilateral hemisphere regions involved into the MR effect in the HA group, which was different to the low-altitude group. Together, these findings might collectively suggest that the mental resource was insufficient as a result of HA exposure which can be reflected on the RRN amplitude, which may help understanding the neural basis of spatial ability change from the long-term HA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China; Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China; Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Huifang Ma
- College of Management, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China; Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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29
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Caldwell HG, Coombs GB, Tymko MM, Nowak-Flück D, Ainslie PN. Severity-dependent influence of isocapnic hypoxia on reaction time is independent of neurovascular coupling. Physiol Behav 2018; 188:262-269. [PMID: 29458114 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
With exposure to acute normobaric hypoxia, global cerebral oxygen delivery is maintained via increases in cerebral blood flow (CBF); therefore, regional and localized changes in oxygen tension may explain neurocognitive impairment. Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the close temporal and regional relationship of CBF to changes in neural activity and may aid in explaining the localized CBF response with cognitive activation. High-altitude related cognitive impairment is likely affected by hypocapnic cerebral vasoconstriction that may influence regional CBF regulation independent of hypoxia. We assessed neurocognition and NVC following 30 min of acute exposure to isocapnic hypoxia (decreased partial pressure of end-tidal oxygen; PETO2) during moderate hypoxia (MOD HX; 55 mm Hg PETO2), and severe hypoxia (SEV HX; 45 mm Hg PETO2) in 10 healthy individuals (25.5 ± 3.3 yrs). Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to assess mean posterior and middle cerebral blood velocity (PCAv and MCAv, respectively) and neurocognitive performance was assessed via validated computerized tests. The main finding was that reaction time (i.e., kinesthetic and visual-motor ability via Stroop test) was selectively impaired in SEV HX (-4.6 ± 5.2%, P = 0.04), but not MOD HX, while complex cognitive performance (e.g., psychomotor speed, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, executive function, and motor speed) was unaffected with hypoxia (P > 0.05). Additionally, severity of hypoxia had no effect on NVC (PCAv CON vs. SEV HX relative peak response 13.7 ± 6.4% vs. 16.2 ± 11.5%, P = 0.71, respectively). In summary, severe isocapnic hypoxia impaired reaction time, but not complex cognitive performance or NVC. These findings have implications for recreational and military personnel who may experience acute hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Caldwell
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada.
| | - Geoff B Coombs
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Michael M Tymko
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Daniela Nowak-Flück
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Philip N Ainslie
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada
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Wong E, Yang B, Du L, Ho WH, Lau C, Ke Y, Chan YS, Yung WH, Wu EX. The multi-level impact of chronic intermittent hypoxia on central auditory processing. Neuroimage 2017; 156:232-239. [PMID: 28528846 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During hypoxia, the tissues do not obtain adequate oxygen. Chronic hypoxia can lead to many health problems. A relatively common cause of chronic hypoxia is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that affects 3-7% of the population. During sleep, the patient's breathing starts and stops. This can lead to hypertension, attention deficits, and hearing disorders. In this study, we apply an established chronic intermittent hypoxemia (CIH) model of sleep apnea to study its impact on auditory processing. Adult rats were reared for seven days during sleeping hours in a gas chamber with oxygen level cycled between 10% and 21% (normal atmosphere) every 90s. During awake hours, the subjects were housed in standard conditions with normal atmosphere. CIH treatment significantly reduces arterial oxygen partial pressure and oxygen saturation during sleeping hours (relative to controls). After treatment, subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with broadband sound stimulation. Responses are observed in major auditory centers in all subjects, including the auditory cortex (AC) and auditory midbrain. fMRI signals from the AC are statistically significantly increased after CIH by 0.13% in the contralateral hemisphere and 0.10% in the ipsilateral hemisphere. In contrast, signals from the lateral lemniscus of the midbrain are significantly reduced by 0.39%. Signals from the neighboring inferior colliculus of the midbrain are relatively unaffected. Chronic hypoxia affects multiple levels of the auditory system and these changes are likely related to hearing disorders associated with sleep apnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddie Wong
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lida Du
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wai Hong Ho
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Condon Lau
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ya Ke
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Shing Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wing Ho Yung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ed X Wu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
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Affiliation(s)
- John B West
- From the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
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West JB. Oxygen Conditioning: A New Technique for Improving Living and Working at High Altitude. Physiology (Bethesda) 2017; 31:216-22. [PMID: 27053735 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00057.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Large numbers of people visit, work, or reside at high altitude. The inevitable hypoxia reduces physical performance and, in many instances, impairs neuropsychological function. The new technique of oxygen conditioning raises the oxygen concentration in the air of buildings such as homes, schools, and hospitals. The result is to decrease the equivalent altitude and improve both physical and cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B West
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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West JB. Are Permanent Residents of High Altitude Fully Adapted to Their Hypoxic Environment? High Alt Med Biol 2017; 18:135-139. [PMID: 28256920 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2016.0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
West, John B. Are permanent residents of high altitude fully adapted to their hypoxic environment? High Alt Med Biol. 18:135-139, 2017.-Millions of people live permanently at high altitude and many have been there for generations. It is sometimes claimed that these people have completely adapted to their environment, and certainly some remarkable genetic adaptations have recently been described. However there is now strong evidence that permanent residents are not completely adapted to the high altitude in the sense that they have fully compensated for the environmental hypoxia. By sea level standards, highlanders have severe chronic arterial hypoxemia. Furthermore, their maximum oxygen uptake increases if they descend, and recent measurements suggest that cognitive function is reduced in this population compared with a matched group at a lower altitude. Reproductive success is reduced at high altitude because neonatal mortality increases with altitude. The topic has recently gained importance because new technology enables the physiological altitude of permanent residents to be reduced by adding oxygen to the air of buildings on a large scale, a procedure known as oxygen conditioning. Its feasibility has been questioned, but in essence it is no different from air conditioning that is universally used to improve the well-being and productivity of millions of people in hot climates. Oxygen conditioning has the potential to do the same for permanent residents of high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B West
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, California
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Chen J, Li J, Han Q, Lin J, Yang T, Chen Z, Zhang J. Long-term acclimatization to high-altitude hypoxia modifies interhemispheric functional and structural connectivity in the adult brain. Brain Behav 2016; 6:e00512. [PMID: 27688941 PMCID: PMC5036434 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural and functional networks can be reorganized to adjust to environmental pressures and physiologic changes in the adult brain, but such processes remain unclear in prolonged adaptation to high-altitude (HA) hypoxia. This study aimed to characterize the interhemispheric functionally and structurally coupled modifications in the brains of adult HA immigrants. METHODS We performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 16 adults who had immigrated to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2300-4400 m) for 2 years and in 16 age-matched sea-level (SL) controls. A recently validated approach of voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) was employed to examine the interhemispheric resting-state functional connectivity. Areas showing changed VMHC in HA immigrants were selected as regions of interest for follow-up DTI tractography analysis. The fiber parameters of fractional anisotropy and fiber length were obtained. Cognitive and physiological assessments were made and correlated with the resulting image metrics. RESULTS Compared with SL controls, VMHC in the bilateral visual cortex was significantly increased in HA immigrants. The mean VMHC value extracted within the visual cortex was positively correlated with hemoglobin concentration. Moreover, the path length of the commissural fibers connecting homotopic visual areas was increased in HA immigrants, covarying positively with VMHC. CONCLUSIONS These observations are the first to demonstrate interhemispheric functional and structural connectivity resilience in the adult brain after prolonged HA acclimatization independent of inherited and developmental effects, and the coupled modifications in the bilateral visual cortex indicate important neural compensatory mechanisms underlying visual dysfunction in physiologically well-acclimatized HA immigrants. The study of human central adaptation to extreme environments promotes the understanding of our brain's capacity for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Chen
- Department of Medical ImagingFuzhou Dongfang HospitalXiamen UniversityFuzhouFujianChina
- Department of Physiology and NeurobiologyMedical College of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Jinqiang Li
- Department of Clinical PsychologyGulangyu Sanatorium of PLAXiamenFujianChina
| | - Qiaoqing Han
- Department of Clinical PsychologyGulangyu Sanatorium of PLAXiamenFujianChina
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- Magnetic Resonance CenterThe Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Tianhe Yang
- Magnetic Resonance CenterThe Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Ziqian Chen
- Department of Medical ImagingFuzhou Dongfang HospitalXiamen UniversityFuzhouFujianChina
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Department of Physiology and NeurobiologyMedical College of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
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Ma Q, Hu L, Li J, Hu Y, Xia L, Chen X, Hu W. Different Effects of Hypoxia on Mental Rotation of Normal and Mirrored Letters: Evidence from the Rotation-Related Negativity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154479. [PMID: 27144444 PMCID: PMC4856360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study explored the neural mechanism underlying the effect of moderate and transient hypoxic exposure on mental rotation of two-dimensional letters in both normal and mirror versions. Event-related potential data and behavioral data were acquired in the task of discrimination between normal and mirrored versions separately in conditions of normoxia (simulated sea level) and hypoxia conditions (simulated 5000 meter altitude). The behavioral results revealed no significant difference between the normoxia and hypoxia conditions both in response time and error rate. However, obvious differences between these two conditions in ERP were found. First, enlarged P300 and Rotation-related Negativity (RRN) were observed in the hypoxia condition compared to the normoxia condition only with normal letters. Second, the angle effect on the amplitude of RRN was more evident with normal letters in the hypoxia condition than that in the normoxia condition. However, this angle effect nearly disappeared with the mirrored letters in the hypoxia condition. Third, more bilateral parietal activation was observed in the hypoxia condition than the normoxia condition. These results suggested that the compensation mechanism existed in the hypoxia condition and was effective with normal letters but had little effect on the mirrored letters. This study extends the research about the hypoxic effect on spatial ability of humans by employing a mental rotation task and further provides neural evidence for this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingguo Ma
- Institute of Neural Management Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
- Neuromanagement Lab, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Linfeng Hu
- School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Neuromanagement Lab, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaojie Li
- Hangzhou Aviation Medicine Assessment and Training Center of Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Neuromanagement Lab, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Xia
- Hangzhou Aviation Medicine Assessment and Training Center of Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojian Chen
- Hangzhou Aviation Medicine Assessment and Training Center of Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wendong Hu
- Faculty of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Chen J, Fan C, Li J, Han Q, Lin J, Yang T, Zhang J. Increased Intraregional Synchronized Neural Activity in Adult Brain After Prolonged Adaptation to High-Altitude Hypoxia: A Resting-State fMRI Study. High Alt Med Biol 2016; 17:16-24. [PMID: 26906285 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2015.0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is intrinsically plastic such that its functional architecture can be reorganized in response to environmental pressures and physiological changes. However, it remains unclear whether a compensatory modification of spontaneous neural activity occurs in adult brain during prolonged high-altitude (HA) adaptation. In this study, we obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance (MR) images in 16 adults who have immigrated to Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2300-4400 m) for 2 years and in 16 age-matched sea level (SL) controls. A validated regional homogeneity (Reho) method was employed to investigate the local synchronization of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals. Seed connectivity analysis was carried out subsequently. Cognitive and physiological assessments were made and correlated with the image metrics. Compared with SL controls, global mean Reho was significantly increased in HA immigrants as well as a regional increase in the right inferolateral sensorimotor cortex. Furthermore, mean z-Reho value extracted within the inferolateral sensorimotor area showed trend-level significant inverse correlation with memory search reaction time in HA immigrants. These observations, for the first time, provide evidence of adult brain resilience of spontaneous neural activity after long-term HA exposure without inherited and developmental effects. Resting-state fMRI could yield valuable information for central mechanisms underlying respiratory and cognitive compensations in adults during prolonged environmentally hypoxic adaptation, paving the way for future HA-adaptive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Chen
- 1 Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China .,2 Department of Medical Imaging Center, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA , Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Cunxiu Fan
- 1 Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinqiang Li
- 3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Gulangyu Sanatorium of PLA , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qiaoqing Han
- 3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Gulangyu Sanatorium of PLA , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- 4 Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Tianhe Yang
- 4 Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- 1 Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Rimoldi SF, Rexhaj E, Duplain H, Urben S, Billieux J, Allemann Y, Romero C, Ayaviri A, Salinas C, Villena M, Scherrer U, Sartori C. Acute and Chronic Altitude-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents. J Pediatr 2016; 169:238-43. [PMID: 26541425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether exposure to high altitude induces cognitive dysfunction in young healthy European children and adolescents during acute, short-term exposure to an altitude of 3450 m and in an age-matched European population permanently living at this altitude. STUDY DESIGN We tested executive function (inhibition, shifting, and working memory), memory (verbal, short-term visuospatial, and verbal episodic memory), and speed processing ability in: (1) 48 healthy nonacclimatized European children and adolescents, 24 hours after arrival at high altitude and 3 months after return to low altitude; (2) 21 matched European subjects permanently living at high altitude; and (3) a matched control group tested twice at low altitude. RESULTS Short-term hypoxia significantly impaired all but 2 (visuospatial memory and processing speed) of the neuropsychological abilities that were tested. These impairments were even more severe in the children permanently living at high altitude. Three months after return to low altitude, the neuropsychological performances significantly improved and were comparable with those observed in the control group tested only at low altitude. CONCLUSIONS Acute short-term exposure to an altitude at which major tourist destinations are located induces marked executive and memory deficits in healthy children. These deficits are equally marked or more severe in children permanently living at high altitude and are expected to impair their learning abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano F Rimoldi
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Research, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Emrush Rexhaj
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Research, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hervé Duplain
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Urben
- Research Unit, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Service, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joël Billieux
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Yves Allemann
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Research, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Carlos Salinas
- Bolivian Institute of Altitude Biology (IBBA), La Paz, Bolivia
| | | | - Urs Scherrer
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Research, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biology, University of Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - Claudio Sartori
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Ma H, Wang Y, Wu J, Wang B, Guo S, Luo P, Han B. Long-Term Exposure to High Altitude Affects Conflict Control in the Conflict-Resolving Stage. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145246. [PMID: 26671280 PMCID: PMC4682854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurocognitive basis of the effect of long-term high altitude exposure on conflict control is unclear. Event related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in a flanker task to investigate the influence of high altitude on conflict control in the high-altitude group (who had lived at high altitude for three years but were born at low altitude) and the low-altitude group (living in low altitude only). Although altitude effect was not significant at the behavioral level, ERPs showed cognitive conflict modulation. The interaction between group and trial type was significant: P3 amplitude was greater in the low-altitude group than in the high-altitude group in the incongruent trial. This result suggests that long-term exposure to high altitude affects conflict control in the conflict-resolving stage, and that attentional resources are decreased to resist the conflict control in the high-altitude group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Education and Psychology, Tibet University, Tibet, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baoxi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Psychology and Cognition Science, School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shichun Guo
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Luo
- Institute of Education and Psychology, Tibet University, Tibet, China
| | - Buxin Han
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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West JB. A strategy for oxygen conditioning at high altitude: comparison with air conditioning. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2015; 119:719-23. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00421.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Large numbers of people live or work at high altitude, and many visit to trek or ski. The inevitable hypoxia impairs physical working capacity, and at higher altitudes there is also cognitive impairment. Twenty years ago oxygen enrichment of room air was introduced to reduce the hypoxia, and this is now used in dormitories, hotels, mines, and telescopes. However, recent advances in technology now allow large amounts of oxygen to be obtained from air or cryogenic oxygen sources. As a result it is now feasible to oxygenate large buildings and even institutions such as hospitals. An analogy can be drawn between air conditioning that has improved the living and working conditions of millions of people who live in hot climates and oxygen conditioning that can do the same at high altitude. Oxygen conditioning is similar to air conditioning except that instead of cooling the air, the oxygen concentration is raised, thus reducing the equivalent altitude. Oxygen conditioning on a large scale could transform living and working conditions at high altitude, where it could be valuable in homes, hospitals, schools, dormitories, company headquarters, banks, and legislative settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B. West
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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West JB. Barcroft's bold assertion: All dwellers at high altitudes are persons of impaired physical and mental powers. J Physiol 2015; 594:1127-34. [PMID: 25962370 DOI: 10.1113/jp270284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Barcroft's bold assertion that everyone at high altitude has physical and mental impairment compared with sea level was very provocative. It was a result of the expedition that he led to Cerro de Pasco in Peru, altitude 4300 m. Although it is clear that newcomers to high altitude have reduced physical powers, some people believe that this does not apply to permanent residents who have been at high altitude for generations. The best evidence supports Barcroft's contention, although permanent residents often perform better than acclimatized lowlanders. Turning to neuropsychological function, newcomers to high altitude certainly have some impairment, and there is evidence that the same applies to highlanders. However the notion that permanent residents are impaired is anathema to many people. For example the eminent Peruvian physician Carlos Monge took great exception to Barcroft's remark and even attributed it to the fact that Barcroft was suffering from acute mountain sickness when he made it! Monge referred to 'climatic aggression', by which he meant the negative consequences of the inevitable hypoxia of high altitude. Recent technological advances such as oxygen enrichment of room air can overcome this 'aggression'. This might be useful in some settings at high altitude such as a nursery where newborn babies are cared for, and possibly operating rooms where the surgeon's dexterity may be enhanced. Other situations might be dormitories, conference rooms, and perhaps some school rooms. These constitute possible ways by which the effects of Barcroft's assertion might be countered.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B West
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0623, USA
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Davis JE, Wagner DR, Garvin N, Moilanen D, Thorington J, Schall C. Cognitive and psychomotor responses to high-altitude exposure in sea level and high-altitude residents of Ecuador. J Physiol Anthropol 2015; 34:2. [PMID: 25649647 PMCID: PMC4320830 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-014-0039-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-altitude inhabitants have cardiovascular and respiratory adaptations that are advantageous for high-altitude living, but they may have impaired cognitive function. This study evaluated the influence of altitude of residence on cognitive and psychomotor function upon acute exposure to very high altitude. FINDINGS Ecuadorians (31 residing at 0-1,500 m [LOW], 78 from 1,501-3,000 m [MOD], and 23 living >3,000 m [HIGH]) were tested upon their arrival to a hut at 4,860 m on Mount Chimborazo. Cognitive/psychomotor measurements included a go-no-go test (responding to a non-visual stimulus), a verbal fluency test (verbalizing a series of words specific to a particular category), and a hand movement test (rapidly repeating a series of hand positions). Mean differences between the three altitude groups on these cognitive/psychomotor tests were evaluated with one-way ANOVA. There were no significant differences (p = 0.168) between LOW, MOD, and HIGH for the verbal fluency test. However, the go-no-go test was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the HIGH group (8.8 ± 1.40 correct responses) than the LOW (9.8 ± 0.61) or MOD (9.8 ± 0.55) groups, and both MOD (97.9 ± 31.2) and HIGH (83.5 ± 26.7) groups completed fewer correct hand movements than the LOW (136.6 ± 37.9) subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Based on this field study, high-altitude residents appear to have some impaired cognitive function suggesting the possibility of maladaptation to long-term exposure to hypobaric hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Davis
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Health Science, Alma College, 614 Superior Street, Alma, MI, 48801, USA.
| | - Dale R Wagner
- Human Movement Science Program, Utah State University, 7000 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.
| | - Nathan Garvin
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Health Science, Alma College, 614 Superior Street, Alma, MI, 48801, USA.
| | - David Moilanen
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Health Science, Alma College, 614 Superior Street, Alma, MI, 48801, USA.
| | - Jessica Thorington
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Health Science, Alma College, 614 Superior Street, Alma, MI, 48801, USA.
| | - Cory Schall
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Health Science, Alma College, 614 Superior Street, Alma, MI, 48801, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola León-Velarde
- Departamentao de Ciencias Biologicas y Fisiologicas, facultad de Ciencias y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia , Lima, Peru
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Yan X. Pro: All dwellers at high altitude are persons of impaired physical and mental powers. High Alt Med Biol 2014; 14:208-11. [PMID: 24067176 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2013.1026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Yan
- New York University School of Medicine , New York, New York
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45
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Yan
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
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46
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Bilingual advantages of working memory revisited: A latent variable examination. LEARNING AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Wang Y, Ma H, Fu S, Guo S, Yang X, Luo P, Han B. Long-Term Exposure to High Altitude Affects Voluntary Spatial Attention at Early and Late Processing Stages. Sci Rep 2014. [DOI: 10.1038/srep04443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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48
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Adaptive modulation of adult brain gray and white matter to high altitude: structural MRI studies. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68621. [PMID: 23874692 PMCID: PMC3712920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate brain structural alterations in adult immigrants who adapted to high altitude (HA). Voxel-based morphometry analysis of gray matter (GM) volumes, surface-based analysis of cortical thickness, and Tract-Based Spatial Statistics analysis of white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) based on MRI images were conducted on 16 adults (20–22 years) who immigrated to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2300–4400 m) for 2 years. They had no chronic mountain sickness. Control group consisted of 16 matched sea level subjects. A battery of neuropsychological tests was also conducted. HA immigrants showed significantly decreased GM volumes in the right postcentral gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus, and increased GM volumes in the right middle frontal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right inferior and middle temporal gyri, bilateral inferior ventral pons, and right cerebellum crus1. While there was some divergence in the left hemisphere, surface-based patterns of GM changes in the right hemisphere resembled those seen for VBM analysis. FA changes were observed in multiple WM tracts. HA immigrants showed significant impairment in pulmonary function, increase in reaction time, and deficit in mental rotation. Parahippocampal and middle frontal GM volumes correlated with vital capacity. Superior frontal GM volume correlated with mental rotation and postcentral GM correlated with reaction time. Paracentral lobule and frontal FA correlated with mental rotation reaction time. There might be structural modifications occurred in the adult immigrants during adaptation to HA. The changes in GM may be related to impaired respiratory function and psychological deficits.
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Alansari BM, Soliman AM. Measurement invariance of working memory measures across two Arab cultures. Percept Mot Skills 2012; 115:43-59. [PMID: 23033744 DOI: 10.2466/22.03.08.pms.115.4.43-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the factorial structure of a battery of working memory measures across two Arab cultures (Kuwait and Egypt). The battery of tests was administered to a sample of 384 children: 192 primary-school Kuwaiti children (96 boys, 96 girls; M age = 10.0 yr., SD = 1.0) and 192 primary-school Egyptian children (96 boys, 96 girls; M age = 10.0 yr., SD = 1.2). The multi-group confirmatory factor analysis revealed configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariances across the two cultures. This implies that working memory can be conceptualized similarly by Kuwaiti and Egyptian children and was measured in the same way in both cultures. Both within-groups individual differences and between-groups differences in means reflected differences in the underlying latent construct.
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Sightings edited by John W. Severinghaus. High Alt Med Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1089/ham.2011.1243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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