HypoxiaHYPRONCT07585227
Study of the Effects of Acute Exposure to Moderate Altitude Hypoxia on Prospective Memory.
A study testing Hypoxia exposure, Oxygen administration and Air administration in people with Hypoxia and Hypoxia Brain, run by Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des Armées at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to investigate whether prospective memory, i.e., memory for delayed intentions, is impaired at moderate altitude (4,000m). It will also allow to study the effect of air and oxygen administration during hypoxia exposure. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Hypoxia, Hypoxia Brain, Hypoxia Altitude Simulation Test
- What is being tested?
- Hypoxia exposure, Oxygen administration and Air administration
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 6 May 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy volunteer
- Has provided informed consent
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 15Show fewer
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Fabien SAUVET, MD, PhD contact
France1 site
Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées
Brétigny-sur-Orge, 91220
Fabien SAUVET, MD, PhD, fabien.sauvet@gmail.com
Carine MALLE, Phd, carine.malle@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Etude Des Effets d'Une Exposition aiguë à l'Hypoxie d'Altitude modérée Sur la mémoire Prospective (HYPRO)
The goal of this study is to investigate whether prospective memory, i.e., memory for delayed intentions, is impaired at moderate altitude (4,000m).
It will also allow to study the effect of air and oxygen administration during hypoxia exposure.
Read more
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does moderate acute hypoxia impair prospective memory ?
- If so, does air or oxygen adminsitration induce a restoration of prospective memory? Researchers will compare cognitive performance during normobaric hypoxia exposure to cognitive performance during normoxia (control situation).
Participants will:
- Session S0. Perform a battery of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires). EEG will be recorded during tests. A cheek swab will be performed.
- Sessions S1 and S2. Perform several cognitive tasks while exposed to hypoxia and to normoxia (2 different sessions, randomized order) in a normobaric chamber. These are standardized cognitive tests administered on a computer and cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenario. Various questionnaires will be performed on a regular basis. Several physiological measurements will be performed continuously: EEG, ECG, SpO2 and breathing rate. Blood pressure will be measured at the beginning and at the end of hypoxia/normoxia exposure. A blood sample will also be performed. At last, participants will inhale air or oxygen through a mask while making a cognitive task in the chamber.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Conditions
- Hypoxia, Hypoxia Brain, Hypoxia Altitude Simulation Test, Hypoxia in Healthy Individuals, Hypoxia, Altitude, Hypoxia, Brain
- Being tested
- Hypoxia exposure, Oxygen administration, Air administration, Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer), Physiological measurements
- Keywords
- prospective memory, working memory, flight simulator
- Medical subject headings
- Hypoxia, Hypoxia, Brain, Altitude Sickness
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Hypoxia exposureOther
Normobaric hypoxia exposure (FiO2 = 12,6%, equivalent to 4,000m) during 4h
Oxygen administrationDrug
Oxygen administration (FiO2 = 100%) through a mask during 10 minutes
Air administrationOther
Air administration (Fi02 = 21%) through a mask during 10 minutes
Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer)Behavioural
Auditory oddball, visual oddball, event-based prospective memory, time-based prospective memory, n-back.
Physiological measurementsDevice
EEG, ECG, SpO2, breathing rate, eyetracking, blood pressure
Blood sampleBiological
A blood sample is collected for mitochondrial breathing analyses
Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenarioBehavioural
Event-based prospective memory and time-based prospective memory. Prepar3D flight simulator.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air | Experimental | S1 = Normoxia exposure + air administration S2 = Hypoxia exposure + air administration Receives: Other: Hypoxia exposure; Other: Air administration; Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer); Device: Physiological measurements; Biological: Blood sample; Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenario |
| Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air | Experimental | S1 = Hypoxia exposure + air administration S2 = Normoxia exposure + air administration Receives: Other: Hypoxia exposure; Other: Air administration; Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer); Device: Physiological measurements; Biological: Blood sample; Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenario |
| Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 | Experimental | S1 = Normoxia exposure + oxygen administration S2 = Hypoxia exposure + oxygen administration Receives: Other: Hypoxia exposure; Drug: Oxygen administration; Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer); Device: Physiological measurements; Biological: Blood sample; Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenario |
| Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2 | Experimental | S1 = Hypoxia exposure + oxygen administration S2 = Normoxia exposure + oxygen administration Receives: Other: Hypoxia exposure; Drug: Oxygen administration; Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer); Device: Physiological measurements; Biological: Blood sample; Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenario |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in event-based prospective memory accuracy between hypoxia and normoxia conditions
Accuracy (%) = Prospective memory target detection rate (number of targets correctly responded to / total number of targets presented × 100)
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 May 2026
- Study start6 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HypoxiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Randomized repeated-measures crossover design
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des Armées
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07585227
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-A00082-49
- Other IDs
- 2026-A00082-49
- Acronym
- HYPRO
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Etude Des Effets d'Une Exposition aiguë à l'Hypoxie d'Altitude modérée Sur la mémoire Prospective (HYPRO)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07585227
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HYPRO / 2026-A00082-49
- Conditions
- Hypoxia, Hypoxia Brain, Hypoxia Altitude Simulation Test, Hypoxia in Healthy Individuals, Hypoxia, Altitude, Hypoxia, Brain
- Keywords
- prospective memory, working memory, flight simulator
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des ArméesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this study is to investigate whether prospective memory, i.e., memory for delayed intentions, is impaired at moderate altitude (4,000m).
It will also allow to study the effect of air and oxygen administration during hypoxia exposure.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does moderate acute hypoxia impair prospective memory ?
- If so, does air or oxygen adminsitration induce a restoration of prospective memory? Researchers will compare cognitive performance during normobaric hypoxia exposure to cognitive performance during normoxia (control situation).
Participants will:
- Session S0. Perform a battery of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires). EEG will be recorded during tests. A cheek swab will be performed.
- Sessions S1 and S2. Perform several cognitive tasks while exposed to hypoxia and to normoxia (2 different sessions, randomized order) in a normobaric chamber. These are standardized cognitive tests administered on a computer and cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenario. Various questionnaires will be performed on a regular basis. Several physiological measurements will be performed continuously: EEG, ECG, SpO2 and breathing rate. Blood pressure will be measured at the beginning and at the end of hypoxia/normoxia exposure. A blood sample will also be performed. At last, participants will inhale air or oxygen through a mask while making a cognitive task in the chamber.
Detailed description
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Randomized repeated-measures crossover design
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air | Experimental | Other: Hypoxia exposure, Other: Air administration, Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer), Device: Physiological measurements, Biological: Blood sample, Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenarioS1 = Normoxia exposure + air administration S2 = Hypoxia exposure + air administration |
| Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air | Experimental | Other: Hypoxia exposure, Other: Air administration, Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer), Device: Physiological measurements, Biological: Blood sample, Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenarioS1 = Hypoxia exposure + air administration S2 = Normoxia exposure + air administration |
| Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 | Experimental | Other: Hypoxia exposure, Drug: Oxygen administration, Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer), Device: Physiological measurements, Biological: Blood sample, Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenarioS1 = Normoxia exposure + oxygen administration S2 = Hypoxia exposure + oxygen administration |
| Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2 | Experimental | Other: Hypoxia exposure, Drug: Oxygen administration, Behavioral: Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer), Device: Physiological measurements, Biological: Blood sample, Behavioral: Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenarioS1 = Hypoxia exposure + oxygen administration S2 = Normoxia exposure + oxygen administration |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Healthy volunteer
- Has provided informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (15 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Hypoxia exposureNormobaric hypoxia exposure (FiO2 = 12,6%, equivalent to 4,000m) during 4h | Other | Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air, Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2, Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air, Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 |
| Oxygen administrationOxygen administration (FiO2 = 100%) through a mask during 10 minutes | Drug | Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2, Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 |
| Air administrationAir administration (Fi02 = 21%) through a mask during 10 minutes | Other | Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air, Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air |
| Standardized cognitive tests (on a computer)Auditory oddball, visual oddball, event-based prospective memory, time-based prospective memory, n-back. | Behavioural | Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air, Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2, Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air, Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 |
| Physiological measurementsEEG, ECG, SpO2, breathing rate, eyetracking, blood pressure | Device | Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air, Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2, Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air, Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 |
| Blood sampleA blood sample is collected for mitochondrial breathing analyses | Biological | Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air, Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2, Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air, Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 |
| Cognitive tests embedded in a flight simulator scenarioEvent-based prospective memory and time-based prospective memory. Prepar3D flight simulator. | Behavioural | Hypoxia-Air + Normoxia-Air, Hypoxia-O2 + Normoxia-O2, Normoxia-Air + Hypoxia-Air, Normoxia-O2 + Hypoxia-O2 |
Primary outcome
Change in event-based prospective memory accuracy between hypoxia and normoxia conditions
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Accuracy (%) = Prospective memory target detection rate (number of targets correctly responded to / total number of targets presented × 100)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Hypoxia
Not yet recruitingPhase 4
Roxadustat and Myocardial Injury After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Coronary Artery Disease, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Enrolling by invitation
Extubation Safety Via Microstream EtCO₂ (IPI) Monitoring
Hypoxemia
Not yet recruiting
Acute Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy for Depression
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Active, not recruitingPhase 3
A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Belzutifan (MK-6482) and Lenvatinib (MK-7902), or Pembrolizumab/Quavonlimab (MK-1308A) in Combination With Lenvatinib, Versus Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib, for Treatment of Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (MK-6482-012)
Carcinoma, Renal Cell
RecruitingObservational study
Comparison of Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) With Different Oximeters and Arterial Saturation (SaO2): Oxygap2 Study
Respiratory Failure, Hypoxemia
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Fabien SAUVET, MD, PhD contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Hypoxia exposure, Oxygen administration and Air administration in people with Hypoxia and Hypoxia Brain, run by Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des Armées at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Carine MALLE, PhD (178651479 ext. 33, carine.malle@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in event-based prospective memory accuracy between hypoxia and normoxia conditions (time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 May 2026.