title: S100B profiles and cognitive function at high altitude.
abstract: Exposure to high altitude can lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). In this study we investigated the effect of high altitude on neurocognitive function and S100B release. Increased S100B release has been hypothesized to signify a loss of integrity in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Seven healthy volunteers trekked to Capanna Regina Margherita (4554 m above sea level) in the Monte Rosa massif. During ascent and descent, five test events were undertaken; participants underwent neurocognitive testing, Lake Louise scoring (LLS), and blood sampling to measure levels of S100B. The blood tests revealed that S100B levels increased 42% to 122% from baseline, and mean LLS increased from 0.57 to 2.57. A significant correlation was observed between both S100B levels and LLS and S100B and some neurocognitive scores. The study indicates that S100B can be released by a mild hypoxia during AMS. Moreover, an observed correlation between S100B and a lower score on neurocognitive tests suggests that the pathogenetic mechanisms may be linked. The study indicates that a decline in cognitive function is associated with symptoms of AMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. henrik.bjursten@med.lu.se
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bjursten
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ederoth
authors.forename: Engilbert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sigurdsson
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gottfredsson
authors.forename: Ingvar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Syk
authors.forename: Orri
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Einarsson
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gudbjartsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human; D010100:Oxygen