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A Temporal Study on Learning and Memory at High Altitude in Two Ethnic Groups
Koushik Ray1, Krishna Kishore1, Praveen Vats1
1Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization, Delhi, India.
High Altitude Medicine & Biology
|June 19, 2019
Summary
High-altitude exposure impairs cognitive function. Indian soldiers acclimatized faster than Kyrgyz soldiers, showing distinct cognitive recovery patterns, possibly due to ethnogenetic differences.
Area of Science:
- Altitude physiology
- Neuroscience
- Human adaptation
Background:
- High-altitude (HA) exposure can impair cognitive function, affecting mental processing speed.
- Understanding ethnic variations in cognitive response to HA is crucial for adaptation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cognitive function changes in Indian and Kyrgyz soldiers during HA exposure.
- To investigate the acclimatization timelines and recovery patterns between two ethnic groups at 4111m.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive tests including paired associate learning, pattern recognition memory, spatial span (SSP), spatial working memory (SWM), choice reaction time (CRT), and simple reaction time (SRT) were administered.
- 20 Indian and 20 Kyrgyz soldiers were assessed at sea level, during 21 days at HA (4111m), and on day 3 of deinduction.
Main Results:
- All cognitive parameters were significantly affected by HA exposure in both groups.
- Indian soldiers showed acclimatization by day 7, with cognitive function improving by day 14 and nearing baseline by day 21.
- Kyrgyz soldiers required 21 days for acclimatization, exhibiting slower cognitive impairment initially but prolonged deficits in SWM, CRT, and SRT throughout the HA stay and post-deinduction.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive performance differences between Indian and Kyrgyz soldiers at HA suggest ethnogenetic factors influence adaptation.
- Kyrgyz soldiers demonstrated a slower and less complete cognitive recovery compared to Indian soldiers after HA exposure.
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