Verbal free recall in high altitude: proper names vs common names.

Full Abstract

Exposure to extreme altitude is known to cause a general impairment of cognitive functions. In this study we investigated the effect of high altitude on the recall of supraspan lists of proper and common names. High altitude seems to have a dramatic effect on the recall of proper names, while common names are more resistant to hypoxia. This effect, however, seems to selectively concern the early items of the lists. This damage to the primacy effect in proper name recall seems permanent over time. The absence of damage in recalling names from the last serial position clearly shows how STM functions are relatively more resistant to the lack of cognitive sources caused by hypoxia.

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Author information

Author/s: Pelamatti, Giovanna (G); Pascotto, Milena (M); Semenza, Carlo (C);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Trieste. pelamat(-atsign-)univ.trieste.it

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior (Cortex), published in Italy. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 39 (issue 1) : pp 97-103

Dates: Created 2003/03/11; Completed 2003/04/02; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12627756, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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