Study of the Effects of Acute Exposure to Moderate Altitude Hypoxia on Prospective Memory.

Flight crew operate in a dynamic, complex, and uncertain environment that requires them to process a large amount of information from multiple sources under time pressure. To successfully carry out their mission, flight crews must therefore constantly sort, prioritize, and analyze relevant information based on the situation, which requires them to manage their cognitive resources simultaneously-at the risk of experiencing a decline in performance that could significantly compromise aviation safety.

With recent changes in the geostrategic context, the flight profiles of operational missions expose military aircraft crews and onboard operators to a greater risk of in-flight hypoxia. During an acute hypoxic episode, physiological cardiac and respiratory responses are triggered to protect the body-and particularly the brain-from oxygen deprivation. However, these mechanisms are effective only for a limited time. If normoxia is not restored, symptoms will manifest as hypoxemia worsens.

Among flight crew members, impairments in cognitive functions-particularly prospective memory-such as failing to report one's position to other aircraft or failing to retract the flaps before takeoff, are common and can lead to serious accidents. To our knowledge, the effects of hypoxic exposure on this form of memory have not yet been investigated.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy volunteer
• Has provided informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who do not understand French
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Cardiovascular risk factor
• Infectious disease within the last 4 weeks
• Chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, hematological, neurological, psychiatric, or metabolic disease
• History of epileptic seizures, convulsions, or loss of consciousness
• Individuals with migraines
• History of a bleeding disorder
• History of high blood pressure
• Current medication use (excluding contraception)
• History of episodes of altitude intolerance
• Stay at high altitude (> 3,500 m) within the last 3 months
• Anxiety score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale > 7
• Depression score on the HAD scale > 7
• Uncontrollable claustrophobia or a history of panic attacks