Neurological, Neurophysiological, Psychological and Psychiatric Effects of High Altitude and Hypoxia

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Background

Psychiatric disorders show a prevalence of 30-40% in the general population, and neurological symptoms such as headache or dizziness are among the most common presenting symptoms in emergency medical settings. Despite these high figures, neurological symptoms outside of high altitude cerebral edema, as well as neurophysiological changes, have only been investigated to a limited extend during hypoxia and at high altitude, while the effect of hypoxia and high altitude on psychiatric symptoms is to a large extent unknown.

This collection aims to advance critical questions on the effects of hypoxia and high altitude on neurological and psychiatric conditions, and identify the underlying neurophysiological and psychological processes. Additionally, we aim to reduce the stigma associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders in the mountaineering community and other populations intermittently or continuously exposed to hypoxia or high altitude, to improve medical care and safety for individuals affected with conditions such as e.g. bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy.

The scope of this Research Topic includes the effects of hypoxia and high altitude on neurophysiological and psychological parameters in healthy individuals. It will also be important to address the effects of hypoxia and high altitude on individuals with pre-existing neurological or psychiatric conditions since we have identified this as an important gap in the current medical literature. The effects of hypoxia and high altitude on specific treatments for these conditions would also be of interest to find out whether they are suitable also under these conditions or whether adaptations in dosing or treatment regimen are necessary. Since much evidence in the field is anecdotal, we especially encourage the submission of laboratory studies elucidating basic science mechanisms and controlled trials, but case studies or concept papers highlighting important and novel aspects are also welcome.

Keywords: high altitude, neurology, psychiatry, psychology, neurophysiology, hypoxia

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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