Altitude effects under microscope

The research will be conducted on Illimani

Medical students plan to shed light on the mysteries of mountain sickness - at a height of more than 5,000ft.

The team from Edinburgh University were setting off on Sunday for the 10-day expedition in Bolivia to learn more about the effects of altitude on the human body.

The six students hope their work will increase understanding of human physiology at high altitude and of the ways in which humans adapt to environmental change.

The research may also help clarify why certain medical conditions - such as asthma and chronic bronchitis - are caused, or complicated, by a shortage of oxygen.

Sir Stewart Sutherland wished the team well

The Apex Bolivia team will conduct a series of experiments - some at a unique laboratory at a height of 5,200m, and the rest during the ascent of Illimani.

The 6,461m mountain towers above the Bolivian capital city of La Paz.

Their bid to shed new light on potentially fatal physiological conditions which can strike at random at high altitudes will be caught on camera by a crew from the BBC's Tomorrow's World programme.

They will also be accompanied by three doctors and another 17 medical students who will act as experimental subjects.

During the visit they will carry out research into pathologies such as Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE).

The team has its theories about why conditions like AMS occur and we can't wait to find out if our hunches are correct

Kenneth Baillie, expedition leader

Expedition leader Kenneth Baillie said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us.

"Human function at altitude is one of the most neglected, and least understood, aspects of physiology.

"At high altitude, for example, you hear of highly trained athletes being outrun by couch potatoes, but the reason remains a mystery.

"The team has its theories about why conditions like AMS occur and we can't wait to find out if our hunches are correct."

Mountaineer Reinhold Messner was the first man to climb all the world's 8,000m peaks, and the first to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen.

Best students

He said: "This is a unique expedition combining cutting edge research with a stunning high altitude environment and the energy of youth."

University of Edinburgh principal Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland said: "Initiative and a sense of adventure are characteristics of the best students of each generation.

"I wish the expedition well in the intellectual and physical labours which lie ahead."

A diary recording the team's progress will be broadcast on the Tomorrow's World website, while the film about the expedition will be televised in late May.