Changes in EEG pattern during acclimatization to high altitude (3500 m) in man.

This study was conducted on 30 healthy soldiers to observe EEG changes during acclimatization to high altitude. Of these subjects, 10 were lowlanders (LL), 10 were acclimatized low landers (AL), and 10 10 were high-altitude natives (HAN). The EEG was recorded by the 10-20 international system of electrode placement in LL at sea level (SL) during rest and hyperventilation (HV). Then they were air-lifted to an altitude of 3500 m where periodic recordings of EEG were made for 4 weeks. For comparison, the altitude recordings were also made in AL and HAN. The quantitative analysis of EEG (occipital) was done to determine alpha index (AI) and average amplitude. The mean AI was 25.5% at SL in LL, which changed to 45.7%, 15.8%, 28.0%, 30.3%, and 33.2% on days 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. The average amplitude was 17.3 microV at SL, which changed to 23.3 microV, 11.8 microV, 16.2 microV, 17.3 microV, and 19.8 microV on days 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. In two subjects, spiking was seen along with the desynchronized pattern of EEG on days 7 and 14. The AI and average amplitude of AL and HAN were significantly more than those of LL. The magnitude of buildup during HV was greater at altitude. These results indicate that there is cerebral cortical depression in the initial phase of induction which changes to cortical desyncronization in the latter part of the first week of induction. During acclimatization, there is gradual buildup of EEG waves, as observed in AL and HAN.