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Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions
Published on: May 23, 2011
The Brain at High Altitude: From Molecular Signaling to Cognitive Performance
Mostafa A Aboouf1,2,3, Markus Thiersch1,3, Jorge Soliz4
1Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The brain requires over one-fifth of the total body oxygen demand for normal functioning. At high altitude (HA), the lower atmospheric oxygen pressure inevitably challenges the brain, affecting voluntary spatial attention, cognitive processing, and attention speed after short-term, long-term, or lifespan exposure. Molecular responses to HA are controlled mainly by hypoxia-inducible factors. This review aims to summarize the cellular, metabolic, and functional alterations in the brain at HA with a focus on the role of hypoxia-inducible factors in controlling the hypoxic ventilatory response, neuronal survival, metabolism, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and plasticity.
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