The Brain at High Altitude: From Molecular Signaling to Cognitive Performance
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. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000621934Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
International Journal of Molecular SciencesVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
MDPISubject
Hypoxia; HIF; EPO; Neurogenesis; Synaptogenesis; Carotid body; Acclimatization; CognitionMore
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