What does current research say about hypoxia?
Biologists and neuropsychologists are currently working to better understand what makes our frail bodies respond the way they do to the hypoxia (lack of oxygen) at extreme altitudes. The hope is that medications can be developed to alleviate the problematic processes such that high-altitude mountaineering will become much safer. While some may debate on whether or not this takes the adventure out of the sport, it is safe to say that most people would like to have such a medication readily available if they are rendered ill and immobile at 8000m or above. The majority of hypoxia research up to now has concentrated on the synaptic effects of the neurotransmitter glutamate. While the short-term consequences of this condition are relatively well-documented, the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to hypoxic conditions are virtually unknown. As far as the general results of an oxygen shortage, one source notes: “Neurons of the brain rarely regenerate, so each dead neuron is one less we
