Does High Altitude Cause Brain Damage?
Much recent negative press has been generated regarding brain MRI changes in high altitude climbers. Appropriate quantitative measurements of these MRI changes have not been done. The significance of these changes is unknown and has not been correlated with neurocognitive testing. Statements that altitude causes brain damage are unfounded. We will perform a study on a group of climbers already planning on climbing Denali in 2008. These subjects will undergo pre and post climb MRIs of their brains as well as neurocognitive testing to determine if any significant changes occur after a single climb to high altitude. Correlation of High Altitude Headache and Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Swelling in the brain often contributes to headache at altitude. Pressure in the brain can be measured using a noninvasive ultrasound machine to assess swelling of the optic nerve sheath at the back of the eyeball. This measurement in conjunction with patients’ symptoms will be used to assess different treat
