Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026

A Detailed Protocol for Physiological Parameters Acquisition and Analysis in Neurosurgical Critical Patients
Published on: October 17, 2017
Intracranial pressure at altitude
Mark H Wilson1, Alex Wright, Christopher H E Imray
11 The Brain Injury Centre-St Mary's Hospital , Imperial College, London, United Kingdom .
Abstract:
Rapid ascent to high altitude can result in high altitude headache, acute mountain sickness, and less commonly, high altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema. The exact mechanisms by which these clinical syndromes develop remain to be fully elucidated. Direct and indirect measures of intracranial pressure (ICP) usually demonstrate a rise in pressure when human subjects and animals are exposed to acute hypoxia. However, the correlation of ICP changes to symptoms and altitude-related illnesses has been difficult to establish. Headache, for example, may occur with vessel distension prior to a rise in ICP. This article reviews the literature both supporting and refuting an increase in ICP as the underlying mechanism of headaches and other related neurological sequelae experienced at high altitude.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Variation of Atmospheric Pressure
Assuming the air temperature is constant at a given altitude and that the ideal gas law of thermodynamics describes the atmosphere to a good approximation, one can find the variation of atmospheric pressure with height.
Let p(y) be the atmospheric pressure at...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs...

