title: [Effects of exposure to altitude on neuropsychology aspects: a literature review].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Valdir de Aquino
authors.initials: Vde A
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Hanna Karen Moreira
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Ronaldo Vagner Thomatieli Dos
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Juliana Martuscelli da Silva
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tufik
authors.forename: Marco Túlio De
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mello
mesh_terms: 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