Abstract Details

Title Cognitive Difference Associated with High-Altitude Flying in Pilots

Topic Neurotoxicology

Presentation(s) P01 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 052

Objective

Background Extreme high-altitude exposure places physiologic stress on the pilot's central nervous system. Some pilots experience neurologic decompression sickness, exhibiting a variety of neurologic symptoms, including cognitive difficulties. Previous work has demonstrated the presence of subcortical white matter change in high-altitude pilots even in the absence of clinical symptoms. We hypothesize cognitive networks are impacted within an individual with extreme hypobaric exposure in the absence of clinical symptoms.

Design/Methods The authors obtained cognitive testing on 48 high-altitude (U2) military pilots before pilot training and 85 after extreme hypobaric exposure. Sixty non-exposed military pilots (AFP) served as controls. Baseline and current Multidimensional Aptitude Battery II (MAB-II) and MicroCog assessments were compared between U2 and AFP groups using a two-tailed t-test. Baseline versus current MAB-II and Microcog assessments were compared within the same pilot, using paired t-test.

Results Pilots in both cohorts demonstrated very high performance (>1SD above population means). At baseline, no significant difference on the MicroCog in global cognitive functioning or proficiency or information processing accuracy was noted. Both groups of pilots demonstrated an improvement when comparing their individual baseline to their individual current results. Current testing on U2 versus AFP demonstrated significant differences in general cognitive proficiency (p=0.022), information processing accuracy (p=0.026), reasoning (p=0.001), and memory (0.006). No group differences were observed in full scale IQ, verbal IQ, or performance IQ on baseline or current MAB-II.

Conclusions Extreme hypobaric exposure is associated with a mild difference in general cognition, processing accuracy, reasoning and memory compared to AFP controls not exposed to extreme altitudes. Although there is a statistically significant change, U2 pilots continue to perform highly on cognitive assessments. Additional study is underway to explain the mechanism of this difference.

Authors/Disclosures
Jennifer Rasmussen-Winkler, MD (Baylor Scott & White) PRESENTER	Dr. Rasmussen-Winkler has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Hao Zhang, PhD (Biogen Idec)	No disclosure on file
Stephen A. McGuire, MD, FAAN	No disclosure on file
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, MD (Department of Neurology, University At Buffalo)	Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis . Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genzyme &Sanofi. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Janssen . Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bayer. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Horizon. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Janssen. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Reviewer with NIH.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��