Modificazioni neuropsicologiche da alta quota: dal Pamir al Karakorum

SUMMARY. Aim. Neuropsychological modifications and acclimatization processes at over 8000 without auxiliary oxygen were investigated in two climbers, evaluating attenti ve abilities and matching their performances. Method. During rest in base-camp (4800 m), at other three Resorts - Resort I (5800 m), Resort n (6400 m), Resort In (7200 m) -, and four months after the return at low altitude, were administered: Temporal Orientation Test (TOT), Trail Making Test (TMT), Animal Naming (AN), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Arithmetical Judgment Test (AJT), and Drawing Test (DT). Results. At TOT and at AJT, both the climbers demonstrated scores at higher normallevels (Eq=4) in all the Resorts in which they were performed. They showed an impairment at AN test, especially at Resort In, showing sensitivity of animal naming to hypoxia. At the DT, human figures were reduced in their dimensions and details, as consequence of the tendency to self closure and introversion that occurs at higher altitudes. Discussion. Neuropsychological functions concerning verbal fluency showed sensitivity to hypoxia, especially at higher altitudes. TMT demonstrated that attentive ability can be preserved if acclimatization is good. Sensitivity to hypoxia and acclimatization processes showed a significant subjective variability. Conclusions. The results of this study show that exposure to high altitude produces some significant neuropsychological changes. KEY WORDS: acclimatization, high altitude, cognitive impairment.