Defence
The military has a long association with medical research which is supported through funding from the Joint Services Expeditions Trust and the Drummond foundation.
Last section of ridge leading to the summit of Island Peak (6300m) [Picture: Adrian Mellor]
History
In the recent past successful expeditions have taken place in 2007 (to Aconcagua 6959m) and 2009 (Everest Base Camp EBC and Island Peak, Nepal, 6300m). These expeditions have introduced many DMS personnel to the Joint Services Adventurous Training (JSAT) scheme and generated significant data on acclimatisation to high altitudes.
Ex Imja Tse (to EBC and Island Peak) was a very successful expedition involving 35 personnel from all elements of the DMS. The expedition (under the leadership of PONN Rob Wakeford) had a well co-ordinated strategy of training through the JSAT scheme creating some new instructors and many proficiency awards. Future expeditions are being planned to build on this success and create more instructors and experience within DMS.
The research conducted during Imja Tse built on that carried out on Aconcagua, including measuring Brain Naturetic Peptide (BNP), aldosterone, NGAL and cortisol. The interaction between these hormones at altitude is relatively unstudied and potentially crucial for acclimatisation. The initial evidence suggests a link between BNP and acute mountain sickness which has never been reported before. Work from this expedition is in press with the European Journal of Applied Physiology and the Journal of Biological Sciences.
Research under canvas at 3800m in Namche Bazaar, Khumbu Valley, Nepal [Picture: Adrian Mellor]
Current Projects
As anticipated these field trials (as on Aconcagua) have created many other potential strands for research. In May 2011 23 trekkers made the journey to Kala Pattar (5600M) collecting data on hormonal adaptation to hypoxia as well as recording electrocardiogram (ECG) traces during exercise and monitoring cardiac function with portable ultrasound. Blood samples were successfully collected at 8 time points, transported frozen along the trail and returned to the UK on dry ice – no mean feat in itself! The samples collected will be analysed over the forthcoming months using funding provided by the Defence Medical Services Research Study Group and the Drummond Foundation.
Altitude sickness research at Gorak Shep (5100m) during Exercise Imja Tse [Picture: Adrian Mellor]
In June 2012 a large expedition will be taking place to Bolivia with the combined aim of carrying forward the research objectives and achieving some challenging ascents of mountains over 6000m. This expedition hopes to match a significant programme of research to some ambitious adventurous training goals.
These expeditions have the support of the Surgeon General, Surg Vice Admiral Raffaelli who is acting as Service Patron for the expeditions.
More details are available from Surg Cdr Adrian Mellor – adrian.mellor@dmsexpeds.org.uk
http://dmsexpeds.org.uk
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