Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of normobaric hypoxia (NH) and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on associative memory performance for emotionally valenced stimuli. Methods: Two experiments were conducted. In Study 1, n = 18 undergraduates performed an associative memory task under three NH conditions (FiO(2)= 20.9%, 15.1 %, 13.6%) using a tent with a hypoxic generator. In Study 2, n = 20 participants were assessed in a field study at various altitudes on the Himalayan mountains, including the Pyramid Laboratory (5000 m above sea level), using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and behavioral assessments. Results: Study 1 revealed no significant differences in recognition accuracy across NH conditions. However, Study 2 showed a complex relationship between altitude and memory for emotionally valenced stimuli. At lower altitudes, participants more accurately recognized emotional stimuli compared to neutral ones, a trend that reversed at higher altitudes. Brain oxygenation varied with altitude, indicating adaptive cognitive processing, as revealed by fNIRS measurements. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hypoxia affects associative memory and emotional processing in an altitude-dependent manner, highlighting adaptive cognitive mechanisms. Understanding the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on cognition and memory can help develop strategies to mitigate its impact in high-altitude and hypoxic environments.

The effects of real vs simulated high altitude on associative memory for emotional stimuli

Gatti, Matteo
Co-primo
;
Prete, Giulia
Co-primo
;
Perpetuini, David;Bondi, Danilo;Verratti, Vittore
;
Santangelo, Carmen;Di Crosta, Adolfo;Palumbo, Rocco;Merla, Arcangelo;Tommasi, Luca;Mammarella, Nicola
Ultimo
2024-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of normobaric hypoxia (NH) and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on associative memory performance for emotionally valenced stimuli. Methods: Two experiments were conducted. In Study 1, n = 18 undergraduates performed an associative memory task under three NH conditions (FiO(2)= 20.9%, 15.1 %, 13.6%) using a tent with a hypoxic generator. In Study 2, n = 20 participants were assessed in a field study at various altitudes on the Himalayan mountains, including the Pyramid Laboratory (5000 m above sea level), using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and behavioral assessments. Results: Study 1 revealed no significant differences in recognition accuracy across NH conditions. However, Study 2 showed a complex relationship between altitude and memory for emotionally valenced stimuli. At lower altitudes, participants more accurately recognized emotional stimuli compared to neutral ones, a trend that reversed at higher altitudes. Brain oxygenation varied with altitude, indicating adaptive cognitive processing, as revealed by fNIRS measurements. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hypoxia affects associative memory and emotional processing in an altitude-dependent manner, highlighting adaptive cognitive mechanisms. Understanding the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on cognition and memory can help develop strategies to mitigate its impact in high-altitude and hypoxic environments.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11564/842731
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