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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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2
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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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3
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Wang M, Liu H, Chen Y, Yang P, Fu S. Different prioritization states of working memory representations affect visual searches: Evidence from an event-related potential study. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 193:112246. [PMID: 37739042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112246] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Previous evidence has shown that the contents of working memory (WM) can bias visual selection. However, not much is known about how WM effects change when the WM representation is held in different prioritization states. Here, we investigated this problem using event-related potentials. Subjects maintained two colors in WM while performing a search task. One of the colors was retro-cued, indicating that it was 80 % likely to be the target of the memory test. During the search display, one of the distractors was a salient color singleton, and this singleton distractor could carry the same color as the cued WM representation, the uncued WM representation, or be irrelevant to the memory content. Behaviorally, the memory test performance was found to be better for the cued color than for the uncued color, and we observed lower search accuracy (ACC) and longer search reaction time (RT) when the singleton distractor matched the cued WM representation than when it matched an uncued or an irrelevant WM representation. Event-related potential (ERP) data showed that the P3 amplitude of cue-color distractor conditions was smaller than that of uncued-color distractor conditions and irrelevant-color distractor conditions. These findings clearly indicate that prioritizing an item for enhanced representational quality enables the item to bias attention to a greater extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Psychology and Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, School of Education, Guangzhou University, China; Bioinformatics and BioMedical Bigdata Mining Laboratory, Department of Medical Informatics, School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, School of Education, Guangzhou University, China
| | - Yanzhang Chen
- Department of Psychology and Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, School of Education, Guangzhou University, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Psychological and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shimin Fu
- Department of Psychology and Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, School of Education, Guangzhou University, China.
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4
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Yu Q, Xiong Y, Su X, Xiong Y, Dong Z, Zhao J, Shu X, Bai S, Lei X, Yan L, Ma X. Integrating Full-Length Transcriptome and RNA Sequencing of Siberian Wildrye ( Elymus sibiricus) to Reveal Molecular Mechanisms in Response to Drought Stress. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2719. [PMID: 37514333 PMCID: PMC10385362 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Drought is one of the most significant limiting factors affecting plant growth and development on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Mining the drought-tolerant genes of the endemic perennial grass of the QTP, Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus), is of great significance to creating new drought-resistant varieties which can be used in the development of grassland livestock and restoring natural grassland projects in the QTP. To investigate the transcriptomic responsiveness of E. sibiricus to drought stress, PEG-induced short- and long-term drought stress was applied to two Siberian wildrye genotypes (drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive accessions), followed by third- and second-generation transcriptome sequencing analysis. A total of 40,708 isoforms were detected, of which 10,659 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were common to both genotypes. There were 2107 and 2498 unique DEGs in the drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive genotypes, respectively. Additionally, 2798 and 1850 DEGs were identified in the drought-tolerant genotype only under short- and long-term conditions, respectively. DEGs numbering 1641 and 1330 were identified in the drought-sensitive genotype only under short- and long-term conditions, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that all the DEGs responding to drought stress in E. sibiricus were mainly associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAKP) signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, the linoleic acid metabolism pathway, the ribosome pathway, and plant circadian rhythms. In addition, Nitrate transporter 1/Peptide transporter family protein 3.1 (NPF3.1) and Auxin/Indole-3-Acetic Acid (Aux/IAA) family protein 31(IAA31) also played an important role in helping E. sibiricus resist drought. This study used transcriptomics to investigate how E. sibiricus responds to drought stress, and may provide genetic resources and references for research into the molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in native perennial grasses and for breeding drought-tolerant varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Yu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Chengdu 610097, China
| | - Yi Xiong
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaoli Su
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yanli Xiong
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zhixiao Dong
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Junming Zhao
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xin Shu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shiqie Bai
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Chengdu 610097, China
| | - Xiong Lei
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Chengdu 610097, China
| | - Lijun Yan
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Chengdu 610097, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
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Yu SF, Wang NN, Hu QL, Dang P, Chang S, Huang XY, Su R, Li H, Zhou J, Ma HL, Liu M, Zhang DL. Neurodynamics of awareness detection in Tibetan immigrants: evidence from EEG analysis. Neuroscience 2023; 522:69-80. [PMID: 37164304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.04.025] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The psychological effects of long-term exposure to high-altitude environments have attracted great attention. These effects are usually attributed to the diminished cognitive resources due to high-altitude exposure. This study employed electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the effects of exposure duration on awareness detection tasks. Neither reaction time nor accuracy showed the direct effects of the exposure duration, so did the model indexes obtained from drift diffusion model analysis. However, event-related potentials (ERP) analysis revealed that exposure duration was associated with changes in the visual awareness negativity (VAN) and the late positivity (LP) components, which in turn affected reaction time. Specifically, longer exposure durations were associated with lower VAN and higher LP, resulting in shorter reaction times and greater drift rate. In contrast to previous studies, the reverse relationship between VAN and LP may reflect a compensatory response to the reduced cognitive resources caused by high-altitude exposure. Additionally, increased LP and shorter reaction times with exposure duration may reflect a resistance to the high-altitude environment. We also conducted time-frequency analysis and found that theta power did not vary with exposure duration, suggesting that the reduction in cognitive resources remains stable in these individuals over time. Overall, our study provides new insights into the dynamic effects of high-altitude environments on awareness detection in the presence of reduced cognitive resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Fang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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
| | - Nian-Nian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China
| | - Quan-Ling Hu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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
| | - Peng Dang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Chang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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
| | - Xiao-Yan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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
| | - Rui Su
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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
| | - Hai-Lin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, 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; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa/Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Zhang X, Xie W, Du W, Liu Y, Lin J, Yin W, Yang L, Yuan F, Zhang R, Liu H, Ma H, Zhang J. Consistent differences in brain structure and functional connectivity in high-altitude native Tibetans and immigrants. Brain Imaging Behav 2023; 17:271-281. [PMID: 36694086 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00759-5] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
It has been well-established that high-altitude (HA) environments affect the human brain; however, the differences in brain structural and functional networks between HA natives and acclimatized immigrants have not been well clarified. In this study, native HA Tibetans were recruited for comparison with Han immigrants (average of 2.3 ± 0.3 years at HA), with lowland residents recruited as controls. Cortical gray matter volume, thickness, and functional connectivity were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging data. In addition, reaction time and correct score in the visual movement task, hematology, and SpO2 were measured. In both Tibetans and HA immigrants vs. lowlanders, decreased SpO2, increased hematocrit and hemoglobin, and increased reaction time and correct score in the visual movement task were detected. In both Tibetans and HA immigrants vs. lowlanders, gray matter volumes and cortical thickness were increased in the left somatosensory and motor cortex, and functional connectivity was decreased in the visual, default mode, subcortical, somatosensory-motor, ventral attention, and subcortical networks. Furthermore, SpO2 increased, hematocrit and hemoglobin decreased, and gray matter volumes and cortical thickness increased in the visual cortex, left motor cortex, and right auditory cortex in native Tibetans compared to immigrants. Movement time and correct score in task were positively correlated with the thickness of the visual cortex. In conclusion, brain structural and functional network difference in both Tibetan natives and HA immigrants were largely consistent, with native Tibetans only showing more intense brain modulation. Different populations acclimatized to HA develop similar brain mechanisms to cope with hostile HA environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjuan Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Weiwei Xie
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China
| | - Wenrui Du
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Wu Yin
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, 850000, China
| | - Lihui Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Fengjuan Yuan
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Haipeng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region Women's and Children's Hospital, Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China.
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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Fan J, Chen D, Wang N, Su R, Li H, Ma H, Gao F. Negative relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and attention: A possible elevation in BDNF level among high-altitude migrants. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1144959. [PMID: 37114226 PMCID: PMC10126458 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1144959] [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: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophic family that plays a vital role in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity in the brain, affects attention. However, studies investigating the association between BDNF and attention in long-term high-altitude (HA) migrants are limited in the literature. As HA affects both BDNF and attention, the relationship between these factors becomes more complex. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between peripheral blood concentrations of BDNF and the three attentional networks in both behavioral and electrical aspects of the brain in long-term HA migrants. Materials and methods Ninety-eight Han adults (mean age: 34.74 ± 3.48 years, 51 females and 47 males, all have lived at Lhasa for 11.30 ± 3.82 years) were recruited in this study. For all participants, the serum BDNF levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; event-related potentials (N1, P1, and P3) were recorded during the Attentional Networks Test, which was used as the measure of three attentional networks. Results Executive control scores were negatively correlated with P3 amplitude (r = -0.20, p = 0.044), and serum BDNF levels were positively correlated with executive control scores (r = 0.24, p = 0.019) and negatively correlated with P3 amplitude (r = -0.22, p = 0.027). Through grouping of BDNF levels and three attentional networks, executive control was found to be significantly higher in the high BDNF group than in the low BDNF group (p = 0.010). Different BDNF levels were associated with both orienting scores (χ2 = 6.99, p = 0.030) and executive control scores (χ2 = 9.03, p = 0.011). The higher the BDNF level, the worse was the executive function and the lower was the average P3 amplitude and vice versa. Females were found to have higher alerting scores than males (p = 0.023). Conclusion This study presented the relationship between BDNF and attention under HA. The higher the BDNF level, the worse was the executive control, suggesting that after long-term exposure to HA, hypoxia injury of the brain may occur in individuals with relatively higher BDNF levels, and this higher BDNF level may be the result of self-rehabilitation tackling the adverse effects brought by the HA environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fan
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Dongmei Chen
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Office of Safety and Health, Lhasa No. 1 Middle School, Lhasa, China
| | - Niannian Wang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Rui Su
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, 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
- *Correspondence: Hailin Ma
| | - Fei Gao
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Fei Gao
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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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Wang ZX, Su R, Li H, Dang P, Zeng TA, Chen DM, Wu JG, Zhang DL, Ma HL. Changes in Hippocampus and Amygdala Volume with Hypoxic Stress Related to Cardiorespiratory Fitness under a High-Altitude Environment. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030359. [PMID: 35326315 PMCID: PMC8946638 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030359] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphology of the hippocampus and amygdala can be significantly affected by a long-term hypoxia-induced inflammatory response. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has a significant effect on the neuroplasticity of the hippocampus and amygdala by countering inflammation. However, the role of CRF is still largely unclear at high altitudes. Here, we investigated brain limbic volumes in participants who had experienced long-term hypoxia exposure in Tibet (3680 m), utilizing high-resolution structural images to allow the segmentation of the hippocampus and amygdala into their constituent substructures. We recruited a total of 48 participants (48 males; aged = 20.92 ± 1.03 years) to undergo a structural 3T MRI, and the levels of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured using a cardiorespiratory function test. Inflammatory biomarkers were also collected. The participants were divided into two groups according to the levels of median VO2max, and the analysis showed that the morphological indexes of subfields of the hippocampus and amygdala of the lower CRF group were decreased when compared with the higher CRF group. Furthermore, the multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a higher association with inflammatory factors in the lower CRF group than that in the higher CRF group. This study suggested a significant association of CRF with hippocampus and amygdala volume, which may be related to hypoxic stress in high-altitude environments. A better CRF reduced physiological stress and a decrease in the inflammatory response was observed, which may be related to the increased oxygen transport capacity of the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xin Wang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Rui Su
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Hao Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Peng Dang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Tong-Ao Zeng
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Dong-Mei Chen
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Jian-Guo Wu
- Management Department, Tibet Police College, Lhasa 850012, China;
| | - De-Long Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Correspondence: (D.-L.Z.); (H.-L.M.)
| | - Hai-Lin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
- Correspondence: (D.-L.Z.); (H.-L.M.)
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10
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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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11
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Li Z, Xue X, Li X, Bao X, Yu S, Wang Z, Liu M, Ma H, Zhang D. Neuropsychological effect of working memory capacity on mental rotation under hypoxia environment. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 165:18-28. [PMID: 33839196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
High-altitude exposure induces the decline of spatial manipulation such as mental rotation which is limited by working memory capacity, but the underlying neuropsychological effect remains to be identified. We evaluated the mental rotation task and the contralateral delay activity (CDA) task under hypoxia environment using the event-related potential. When compared with the controls, the behavior response was slowed on two tasks in the high-altitude group. The declined mental rotation and the decreased working memory capacity were synchronously related to the amplitudes of P50 and CDA, respectively. The P50 during mental rotation was positively correlated to that of rotation-related negativity (RRN) component, so was with the CDA. Time-frequency analysis showed that the beta/alpha power in mental rotation and the theta/alpha/beta power in CDA were enhanced in the high-altitude group. The present study might suggest that the decline of working memory capacity induced poor performance of mental rotation, which may be derived from a bottom-up sensory gating deficit reflected by P50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xue
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Xiaohua Bao
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Sifang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Zengjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China.
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