FRS 002 — Sec. 007 — (2 units) — CRN 74143 — W 10:00-11:50am — 197 Briggs
Drowning on the Mountain: Physiology and Pathophysiology of High Altitude

Instructor: W. Jeffrey Weidner, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, Division of Biological Sciences

Description: The extreme conditions of life at high altitude can place a daunting burden on the body. The increasing popularity of high mountain areas for sport and tourism has created a parallel increase in altitude illness. In modern society travel has become so rapid and access to the high mountains so easy that millions of people can and do go much too quickly from low to dangerous altitudes. In this seminar we will examine the effects of altitude on the body. We will first consider the basic physiological changes associated with short-term sojourns to high altitude, and compare these with long-term acclimatization to high altitude. We will then examine the pathophysiology of the most common illnesses of high altitude: acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral edema, and high altitude pulmonary edema. This seminar is intended to provide an interesting format for the student to learn about the influence of extreme conditions on the body, while at the same time learning about the physiologic systems involved. As it may attract students already interested in alpine sports and/or mountaineering, it is intended to acquaint the student with potential problems associated with high altitude, particularly during periods of increased physical activity. It is also intended to sharpen the student's writing skills through a written assignment (a paper).

Format: This seminar will meet in weekly two-hour sessions. The instructor will present information on each topic during the first hour of each class (utilizing slides, handouts, etc.) in an informal lecture. The second hour of each class will be devoted to the discussion of the topic at hand and will be based upon an assigned paper or article pertinent to the topic. The last class meeting will be devoted to individual student presentations based on their paper and discussion of each report. Students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions based on the assigned readings. Each student will be expected to write a short (no more than five pages) paper on a topic of his or her choice (with the approval of the instructor) relevant to high altitude biology. Grading: 25% of the final grade will be based on participation in class discussions, 25% on the oral presentation, and 50% on the paper.

About the Instructor: Professor Weidner is a member of the faculty in the Section of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior of the Division of Biological Sciences. His research interests include the physiology and pathophysiology of lung fluid balance, particularly in birds. His laboratory is currently involved in an examination of the role of cadherin adhesion proteins in the regulation pulmonary microvascular permeability in the avian lung. He teaches undergraduate courses on systemic physiology and comparative cardiovascular physiology, and a graduate course on circulatory pathophysiology. He is also coordinator of the University of Barcelona/UCD collaborative learning project for physiology.