HalfDomeRick
10-10-2007, 09:12 PM
Ever wonder what is going on inside the heads of the hard-core high altitude climbers? I mean, how’s their brain reacting to less oxygen? The science goes back to the 19th century and the Italian physiologist Angelo Mosso, who made direct observations on a man whose brain was partly exposed as a result of an accident. Yuck. A new study out of Spain may make your change your mind about that Everest goal.
They gave MRI brain scans to 35 climbers who had returned from high-altitude expeditions, including 13 who had attempted Everest (3 of them made it). Only one of the 13 Everest climbers returned with a normal brain scan. The brain scans showed that all but one climber suffered cortical atrophy and enlargement of the so-called Virchow-Robin spaces surrounding brain blood vessels. Widening of these VR spaces is seen in the elderly, but rarely in young people.
Even at much lower altitudes, such as Mount Blanc, (17K feet) researchers found that of seven climbers reaching the summit of Mount Blanc, two returned with enlarged VR spaces. Even years after the hikes, transient memory loss and slowed mental function were present. Hmmm makes one pause.
Anyone have any anecdotes along these lines? I've been up Mt Whitney (14.5K feet) and felt fine - in fact pretty elated on top. Of course, maybe that's why I'm so goofy! :D
They gave MRI brain scans to 35 climbers who had returned from high-altitude expeditions, including 13 who had attempted Everest (3 of them made it). Only one of the 13 Everest climbers returned with a normal brain scan. The brain scans showed that all but one climber suffered cortical atrophy and enlargement of the so-called Virchow-Robin spaces surrounding brain blood vessels. Widening of these VR spaces is seen in the elderly, but rarely in young people.
Even at much lower altitudes, such as Mount Blanc, (17K feet) researchers found that of seven climbers reaching the summit of Mount Blanc, two returned with enlarged VR spaces. Even years after the hikes, transient memory loss and slowed mental function were present. Hmmm makes one pause.
Anyone have any anecdotes along these lines? I've been up Mt Whitney (14.5K feet) and felt fine - in fact pretty elated on top. Of course, maybe that's why I'm so goofy! :D