Altered resting-state networks may explain the executive impairment in young health immigrants into high-altitude area

Chen, Xiaoming; Liu, Jian; Wang, Jiye; Xin, Zhenlong; Zhang, Qian; Zhang, Wenbin; Xi, Yi‐Bin; Zhu, Yuanqiang; Li, Chen; Li, Jiaming; Han, Yuedong; Liu, Jie; Li, Baojuan; Luo, Wenjing; Chen, Jingyuan

doi:10.1007/s11682-019-00241-1

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Adaptation based on compensatory mechanisms may account for the preserved cognitive performance. In contrast, previous studies showed that the alteration of resting state networks was correlated with the impairment of executive function after two years of exposure to high altitude (3650 m) [ 20 , 21 ]. However, we still do not know the neural adaptive mechanisms of the resting-state brain underlying the long-term exposure to moderate altitude.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

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

Chen

Zhou

et al. 2022

Brain Sciences

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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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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

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

Chen

Zhou

et al. 2022

Brain Sciences

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“…In addition, we found a stronger connection between hopelessness about the future and fear, hopelessness about the future and poor sleep, fear and unhappiness, and poor sleep and unhappiness, which may reflect mutually reinforcing feedback loops [ 53 ]. Neuropsychological studies have found that high-altitude exposure leads to impairment of human executive function [ 54 ]. Executives function as conductors that have important roles in controlling, organizing, and directing cognitive activity, emotional responses, and behavior [ 55 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Symptom Structure of Depression in Older Adults on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: A Network Analysis

Eli

Zhou

Chen

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Previous studies have confirmed that depression among residents in high-altitude areas is more severe, and that depression may be more persistent and disabling in older adults. This study aims to identify the symptom structure of depression among older adults on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (the highest plateau in the world) from a network perspective. This cross-sectional study enrolled 507 older adults (ages 60–80 years old) from the Yushu Prefecture, which is on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. Depressive symptoms were self-reported using the shortened Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Then, a Gaussian graphical model (GGM) of depression was developed. Poor sleep, fear, and hopelessness about the future exhibited high centrality in the network. The strongest edge connections emerged between unhappiness and hopelessness about the future, followed by hopelessness about the future and fear; hopelessness about the future and poor sleep; fear and unhappiness; and then poor sleep and unhappiness in the network. The findings of this current study add to the small body of literature on the network structure and complex relationships between depressive symptoms in older adults in high-altitude areas.

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“…Executive function is a complex domain involving a variety of higher brain functions such as planning, working memory, thinking flexibility, and psychomotor ability (Chen et al, 2021). Previous studies have shown that acute or chronic highaltitude exposure may lead to impaired executive function ( Wei et al, 2021), and decreased executive function may be another important manifestation of cognitive impairment induced by chronic high-altitude hypoxic environment exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Chronic Hypoxic Environment on Cognitive Function and Neuroimaging Measures in a High-Altitude Population

Zhang

Liu

et al. 2022

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term hypoxic environment exposure on cognitive ability and neuroimaging characteristics in a highland population in China.MethodsHealth 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).ResultsThe 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.ConclusionOur 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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Altered resting-state networks may explain the executive impairment in young health immigrants into high-altitude area

Cited by 13 publications

References 41 publications

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

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

Symptom Structure of Depression in Older Adults on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: A Network Analysis

Effects of Chronic Hypoxic Environment on Cognitive Function and Neuroimaging Measures in a High-Altitude Population

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