Topographic EEG changes due to hypobaric hypoxia at simulated high altitude

Multichannel human EEG signals were studied topographically in subjects exposed to an atmosphere of reduced air pressure in a chamber in which high-altitude conditions were simulated. EEG signals from 16 electrodes placed on the scalp were recorded simultaneously with electrocardiography and vertical eye movement. Baseline records were first obtained at sea level (PRE 0 m), and then at reduced air pressures corresponding to the altitudes of 3000 m, 4000 m, 5000 m and 6000 m, respectively, and after returning to sea level (POST 0 m). A complete set of EEG records under all 6 conditions was obtained in 5 of the 15 subjects, and under 5 conditions (all except the 6000 m condition) in 3 other subjects. The spectral powers of 1 min epochs of the multichannel EEG signal under each altitude condition were compared to that at PRE 0 m using analysis of variance. Under the 3000 m condition, the spectral power of the 10–11 Hz components was significantly decreased and, with increasing altitude, significant decrease of spectral power was observed in a wider range of the alpha frequency band. Under the 6000 m condition, the decrease of spectral power of the alpha band in the posterior brain areas was −7 dB compared to the baseline. In contrast, the spectral power of the theta frequency band in anterior brain areas increased significantly in the 5000 m and 6000 m conditions. At the POST 0 m condition after return from the 5000 m condition (without exposure to the 6000 m condition), the EEG showed recovery to the level of the baseline PRE 0 m condition. However, in subjects who returned to the POST 0 m condition after exposure to the 6000 m condition, both the theta and alpha frequency bands of the EEG were significantly suppressed. A significant, altitude-dependent change was also found in the recomputed current source density spectra of the EEG. These results suggest that the first stage of hypobaric hypoxia is characterized by selective suppression of alpha EEG activity. Further elevation in altitude over 5000 m results in significant enhancement of theta activity in the anterior areas and strong suppression of alpha activity in the posterior areas of the brain. The hypobaric hypoxic condition at 6000 m results in long-lasting residual effect upon the brain electrical activities.