Effect of Supplemental Oxygen Therapy on Neurocognitive Performance in Healthy Highlanders

Phase 4Not Yet RecruitingNCT07651917

University of Zurich50 enrolled

Overview

Exposure to high altitudes, defined as locations above 2500 m, has been shown to cause cognitive alternations due to reduced blood oxygenation (SpO2). However, it remains to be determined whether cognitive changes are present in highlanders living at moderate altitudes (2500 m) and whether cognitive alterations are reversible with supplemental oxygen therapy (SOT).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Neurocognition

Interventions

Supplemental oxygen therapyDRUG

5 L/min supplemental oxygen therapy administered through nasal canula.

Sham interventionOTHER

5 L/min sham intervention administered through nasal canula.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Signed written consent * Age \>18 * Kyrgyz ethnicity * Born, raised and living at approximately 2500 m * Native or fluent in Russian language Exclusion Criteria: * Severe disease such as unstable hypertension, coronary heart disease, pulmonary diseases, others. * Regular use of medication that interfere with sleep or breathing such as benzodiazepines, opioids, acetazolamide * Heavy smoking of \>20 cigarettes per day * Not able to read or adhere to the study protocol

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Psychomotor vigilance reaction time

The difference in the reaction time during a 10-minute psychomotor vigilance test between SOT and Sham intervention.