Multimodal analysis of the effects of dexamethasone on high-altitude cerebral oedema: protocol for a pilot study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a cluster of symptoms that commonly occur in those ascending to high altitudes. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, insomnia and fatigue. Exposure to high altitude can also lead to high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE), which is a potential cause of death whilst mountaineering. Generally, AMS precedes the development of HACE. Historical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of regular dexamethasone administration in reducing the symptoms of AMS. However, the mechanism by which dexamethasone works to reduce symptoms AMS remains poorly understood. Further studies, simulating altitude using hypoxic tents, have characterised the effect of prolonged exposure to normobaric hypoxia on cerebral oedema and blood flow using MRI. This randomised tr

SUBMITTER: Fisher O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6813976 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature