Effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the human auditory brainstem responses
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1Italian Air Force, DASRS, Aerospace Medicine Department, Pratica di Mare AFB, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded in six volunteers before, during and after 90-min exposure to hypobaric hypoxia (5,184 m; barometric pressure = 405 mmHg) in an altitude chamber. Waves I, III and V absolute and interpeak latencies were analysed. The main result of the experiment was a significant shortening of the brainstem transmission time (I-V interval) in the recovery from hypoxia compared with the basal condition. This finding could be explained with a slow decay of the compensatory mechanisms acting during hypoxia and/or a transient neuronal hyperexcitability at the end of the hypoxic stress.
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