The effects of short-term and long-term exposure to a high altitude hypoxic environment on neurobehavioral function

Abstract

Aims: Examined the change in neurobehavioral function of individuals acclimated to high altitudes and those native to high altitudes.

Methods: A neurobehavioral core test battery approved by the WHO (WHO-NCTB) was used to evaluate the effects of high altitude hypoxia on neurobehavioral function. The WHO-NCTB is composed of seven individual tests: a mood state profile, simple reaction time test, digit span test, Santa Ana manual dexterity test, digit symbol test, Benton visual retention test, and pursuit aiming test.

Results: The values from the Santa Ana manual dexterity test, digit symbol test, and pursuit aiming test from sea-level subjects acclimated for 5 days at 3700 m were significantly decreased when compared with the same subjects at sea level. The values from the digit span, Santa Ana manual dexterity, digit symbol, Benton visual retention and pursuit aiming tests in subjects native to high altitudes of 3700, 4500, and 5100 m were significantly decreased when compared with subjects at sea level and compared with sea-level subjects acclimated for 5 days at 3700 m.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that high altitude hypoxia induces damage to neurobehavioral functions, and the long-term deficit in neurobehavioral function was more severe than the short-term changes.