Cognition Effects of Low-Grade Hypoxia

Pilmanis, Andrew A.; Balldin, Ulf; Fischer, Joseph

doi:10.3357/amhp.4558.2016

Cited by 19 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In addition, we found limited or no attentional impairment at the lower altitude of 3800 m for both hypoxic groups ( Fig 3 ). This finding potentially supports the results of Pilmanis et al [ 61 ], who reported a minimal influence of low-grade hypoxia on cognitive performance. The authors found small degradations in cognitive performance at simulated altitudes of 2438 m and 3658 m, but for only two of the cognitive tasks tested.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The influence of hypoxia and prolonged exercise on attentional performance at high and extreme altitudes: A pilot study

Limmer

Platen

2018

PLoS ONE

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IntroductionExposure to hypoxic conditions is reported to impair cognitive performance. Further, moderate physical exercise improves cognitive function, but little is known about the influence of exercise on cognitive function in hypoxia. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the influence of hypoxia (HYP) and prolonged exercise (EX) on attentional performance.MethodsA total of 80 participants (female: n = 29; male: n = 51) were assigned to four groups: HYP + EX (n = 15), HYP (n = 25), EX (n = 21) and normoxia (NOR) (n = 21). The Frankfurt Attention Inventory—2 (FAIR-2) was performed at four testing points (day 1, 14, 16 and 18) to assess attentional performance. All groups completed a pretest (D1) and a follow-up test (D18). In HYP + EX conditions, the cognitive task was performed in a hypoxic state after prolonged exercise (D14: 3950 m, D16: 5739 m) during a mountain climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Participants in HYP were tested under intermittent hypoxia at rest in a hypoxic chamber (D14: 3500 m, D16: 5800 m), and those in EX were tested under normoxia after prolonged exercise during a 7-day backcountry ski hiking tour. NOR was a control group, and participants completed all tests under normoxia and at rest.ResultsHypoxia impaired the attentional functions performance value (PV) and continuity value (CV) for the HYP + EX (p = 0.000) and HYP (L: p = 0.025; K: p = 0.043) groups at 5739 m and 5800 m, respectively, but not the function quality value (QV). In contrast, the EX group did not exhibit changes in attentional function.ConclusionThe current results suggest that attentional performance is impaired during extreme normobaric and hypobaric hypoxic exposure. We further conclude that greater cognitive impairment under hypobaric hypoxia during a mountain climb compared with normobaric hypoxia at rest is not caused by prolonged exercise, but may be influenced by other factors (e.g. low temperatures, dehydration, or sleep deprivation) that remain to be verified.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The influence of hypoxia and prolonged exercise on attentional performance at high and extreme altitudes: A pilot study

Limmer

Platen

2018

PLoS ONE

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“…Peripheral oxygen saturations in our simulator group closely matched those recorded at equivalent altitudes in hypobaric hypoxia by Legg et al 17 and Pilmanis et al 30 ( Table IV). We plotted 95% confidence intervals for the metrics we measured in common 30 (this was to be expected: our subjects were wearing thick gloves and operating in a cold environment) and the baseline values for Logical Relations (ours were lower).…”

Section: Here]supporting

confidence: 88%

“…We chose the ANAM 4 battery (Cognitive Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, OK), previously assessed as having good construct validity for its specified cognitive domains 34 and for its mood scale 14 , as well as minimal practice effects following second administration 4,11 . Given the variety of cognitive tests used in past studies, we deliberately chose our altitudes and test battery to be comparable with those used in two of the most rigorous previous studies: Legg et al 17 and Pilmanis et al 30 We selected the individual tests from the battery based on our experience of the demands of paragliding: logical reasoning (abstract reasoning), mannikin variation (spatial The subjects also undertook a Profile of Mood States (POMS) 24 test within the ANAM battery, where they were asked to describe how much a mood adjective applied on a categorical scale of 0 ('not at all') to 6 ('very much'), from the subcategories of anger, anxiety, depression/dysphoria, fatigue, happiness, restlessness and vigor.…”

Section: Equipment and Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effects of gradual-onset hypoxia caused by extended periods at these lower altitudes remain contentious. A number of studies have demonstrated changes in complex reaction times 9 , mood 17,26 , subjective symptoms 23,30,35 , risk behavior 29 and complex cognition 5,15,16 at altitudes below 3658 m (12,000 ft). However, small sample sizes and interindividual variability, in combination with the heterogeneity, practice effects and uncertain operational relevance of cognitive testing have often hampered their interpretation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…authors who focused on hypoxia alone 17,30 . We used the same validated test battery as those authors and included their chosen test outcome metrics in our data collection.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cognitive Function in Simulated Paragliding Flight

Wilkes¹,

Long²,

Massey³

et al. 2019

aerosp med hum perform

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Introduction: Paragliding is an emerging discipline of aviation, with recreational pilots flying distances over 100 km. It remains risky. Accidents typically relate to pilot error rather than equipment failure. We measured cognition and physiological responses during simulated flight, to investigate whether errors might be due to pilot impairment, rather than misjudgment. Methods: Ten male paraglider pilots (aged 19-58 years) undertook a simulated flight in an environmental chamber from sea level (0.209 FiO2) to 1524 m (0.174 FiO2), 2438 m (0.156 FiO2), and 3658 m (0.133 FiO2), over approximately two hours. They experienced normobaric hypoxia, environmental cooling and headwind, completing logical reasoning, mannikin, mathematical processing, Stroop Color-Word and Tower Puzzle tasks; alongside measures of risk-taking (BART), mood (POMS) and subjective experience. Results were compared to ten controls, matched by age, sex and flying experience. Physiological measures were oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, ventilation, heart rate, oxygen saturation, rectal and skin temperature, blood glucose, blood lactate and urine production. Results: There were no significant differences between pilots and controls at any altitude. Results were heterogenous within and between individuals. As altitude increased, oxygen consumption and minute volume increased significantly, while oxygen saturations fell (98.3% [baseline] to 88.5% [peak]). Rectal temperatures fell by a statistically (but not clinically) significant amount (37.6°C to 37.3°C), while finger skin temperatures dropped steeply (32.2°C to 13.9°C). 3 Conclusions: Results suggest cognitive impairment is unlikely to be a primary cause of pilot error during paragliding flights (of less than two hours, below 3658 m), though hand protection requires improvement.

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A review of methods for assessment of cognitive function in high‐altitude hypoxic environments

Fan,

Meng,

Zhu

et al. 2024

Brain and Behavior

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Hypoxic environments like those present at high altitudes may negatively affect brain function. Varying levels of hypoxia, whether acute or chronic, are previously shown to impair cognitive function in humans. Assessment and prevention of such cognitive impairment require detection of cognitive changes and impairment using specific cognitive function assessment tools. This paper summarizes the findings of previous research, outlines the methods for cognitive function assessment used at a high altitude, elaborates the need to develop standardized and systematic cognitive function assessment tools for high‐altitude hypoxia environments.

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Cognition Effects of Low-Grade Hypoxia

Abstract: The findings indicated a minimal influence of low-grade hypoxia on cognitive performance in contrast to some existing classic symptoms of hypoxia. Pilmanis AA, Balldin UI, Fischer JR. Cognition effects of low-grade hypoxia. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7):596-603.

Cited by 19 publications

References 7 publications

The influence of hypoxia and prolonged exercise on attentional performance at high and extreme altitudes: A pilot study

The influence of hypoxia and prolonged exercise on attentional performance at high and extreme altitudes: A pilot study

Cognitive Function in Simulated Paragliding Flight

A review of methods for assessment of cognitive function in high‐altitude hypoxic environments

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