Memory Impairment at a Moderate Altitude Environment

Hypoxia induces psychophysiological changes with consequent impairment of cognitive functioning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cognitive performance following an ascendance to a moderate altitude. Seven volunteers, underwent a cognitive and physiological evaluation at different times: before ascending, to 4150 m s. l. and after the return from the expedition. The long-term and short-term memory impairment were found at 4150 m s. l. compared with pre and post expeditions at sea-level. This suggests an important effect of moderate altitude hypoxia to human psychophysiological adaptation.