ArticleEuropean journal of applied physiology2023
Dopamine/BDNF loss underscores narcosis cognitive impairment in divers: a proof of concept in a dry condition.
Article in European journal of applied physiology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Systemic Oxy-Inflammatory, Hormonal, and Mood Responses to a Ski Mountaineering Competition: Preliminary Evidence from Military Athletes.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Imbalanced cortisol/BDNF signals and oxidative stress underscore temporary cognitive impairment in deep divers after in water/surface decompression: proof of concept.European journal of applied physiology · 2026Article
- Pushing athletic performance boundaries with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation: an exploratory, pilot, randomized controlled study on strength and inflammation in elite weightlifters.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Cognitive risk during underwater exposure: from environmental stressors to assessment and context-aware monitoring.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Review
- Environmental study and stress-related biomarkers modifications in a crew during analog astronaut mission EMMPOL 6.European journal of applied physiology · 2025Article
- Oxy-Inflammation in Humans during Underwater Activities.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Combined effects of mild hypothermia and nitrous-oxide-induced narcosis on manual and cognitive performance.American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology · 2024Article
- Physiology of deep closed circuit rebreather mixed gas diving: vascular gas emboli and biological changes during a week-long liveaboard safari.Frontiers in physiology · 2024Article
- Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Evidences from Laboratory and In-Field Studies.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2023Article
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Counters Oxidative Stress/Inflammation-Driven Symptoms in Long COVID-19 Patients: Preliminary Outcomes.Metabolites · 2023Article
- The "ON-OFF" Switching Response of Reactive Oxygen Species in Acute Normobaric Hypoxia: Preliminary Outcome.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Article
- Seasonal Oxy-Inflammation and Hydration Status in Non-Elite Freeskiing Racer: A Pilot Study by Non-Invasive Analytic Method.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Editorial: Physiological telemonitoring and interventional telemedicine in extreme environments.Frontiers in physiology · 2023Article
- Effects of recreational SCUBA diving practiced once a week on neurohormonal response and myokines-mediated communication between muscles and the brain.Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeDivers can experience cognitive impairment due to inert gas narcosis (IGN) at depth. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rules neuronal connectivity/metabolism to maintain cognitive function and protect tissues against oxidative stress (OxS). Dopamine and glutamate enhance BDNF bioavailability. Thus, we hypothesized that lower circulating BDNF levels (via lessened dopamine and/or glutamate release) underpin IGN in divers, while testing if BDNF loss is associated with increased OxS.
methodsTo mimic IGN, we administered a deep narcosis test via a dry dive test (DDT) at 48 msw in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber to six well-trained divers. We collected: (1) saliva samples before DDT (T0), 25 msw (descending, T1), 48 msw (depth, T2), 25 msw (ascending, T3), 10 min after decompression (T4) to dopamine and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; (2) blood and urine samples at T0 and T4 for OxS too. We administered cognitive tests at T0, T2, and re-evaluated the divers at T4.
resultsAt 48 msw, all subjects experienced IGN, as revealed by the cognitive test failure. Dopamine and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) reached a nadir at T2 when ROS emission was maximal. At decompression (T4), a marked drop of BDNF/glutamate content was evidenced, coinciding with a persisting decline in dopamine and cognitive capacity.
conclusionsDivers encounter IGN at - 48 msw, exhibiting a marked loss in circulating dopamine levels, likely accounting for BDNF-dependent impairment of mental capacity and heightened OxS. The decline in dopamine and BDNF appears to persist at decompression; thus, boosting dopamine/BDNF signaling via pharmacological or other intervention types might attenuate IGN in deep dives.
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