Hypoxia-induced lowered executive function depends on arterial oxygen desaturation

Abstract

Although it has been traditionally thought that decreasing SpO₂ with ascent to high altitudes not only induces acute mountain sickness but also can decrease executive function, the relationship between decreased SpO₂ levels and hypoxia-induced lowered executive function is still unclear. Here we aimed to clarify whether hypoxia-induced lowered executive function was associated with arterial oxygen desaturation, using 21 participants performing the color–word Stroop task under normoxic and three hypoxic conditions (FIO₂ = 0.165, 0.135, 0.105; corresponding to altitudes of 2000, 3500, and 5000 m, respectively). Stroop interference significantly increased under severe hypoxic condition (FIO₂ = 0.105) compared with the other conditions. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between Stroop interference and SpO₂. In conclusion, acute exposure to severe hypoxic condition decreased executive function and this negative effect was associated with decreased SpO₂. We initially implicated an arterial oxygen desaturation as a potential physiological factor resulting in hypoxia-induced lowered executive function.

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