[Effects of exposure to altitude on neuropsychology aspects: a literature review].
OBJECTIVE
Discuss the effects of altitude exposure on neuropsychological functions.


METHODS
We have conducted a literature review using as source indexed articles at Pubmed in the period from 1921 to 2008, using the following key words: 'cognition and hypoxia', 'hypoxia and neuropsychology', 'acute hypoxia', 'chronic hypoxia', and 'acclimatization and hypoxia', as well as specific books on the subject.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute and chronic effects of Hypoxia can alter many of the neuropsychological functions in different altitudes due to physiological changes resulted by the oxygen (O2) partial decrease that can lead to neuropsychological alterations in individuals exposed to high altitudes.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals exposed to high altitudes must use an O2 supplementation and the practice of acclimatization, among other strategy ways that can be used in order to minimize the negative effects of hypoxia on neuropsychological aspects.
Lemos
Valdir de Aquino
Vde A
Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Antunes
Hanna Karen Moreira
HK
Santos
Ronaldo Vagner Thomatieli Dos
RV
Prado
Juliana Martuscelli da Silva
JM
Tufik
Sergio
S
Mello
Marco Túlio De
MT
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000531:Altitude; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance