title: A Computerized Evaluation of Sensory Memory and Short-term Memory Impairment After Rapid Ascent to 4280 m.
abstract: To evaluate the effect of acute high-altitude exposure on sensory and short-term memory using interactive software, we transported 30 volunteers in a sport utility vehicle to a 4280 m plateau within 3 h. We measured their memory performance on the plain (initial arrival) and 3 h after arrival on the plateau using six measures. Memory performance was significantly poorer on the plateau by four of the six measures. Furthermore, memory performance was significantly poorer in the acute mountain sickness (AMS) group than in the non-AMS group by five of the six measures. These findings indicate that rapid ascent to 4280 m and remaining at this altitude for 3 h resulted in decreased sensory and short-term memory, particularly among participants who developed AMS.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Qing Hai
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Center, The First People's Hospital of Akesu Prefecture, Akesu 843000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Ke Yan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Zheng Xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Ji Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ran
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Xiao Ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Urumqi General Hospital of PLA, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Jian Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult