According to new research by Oregon University of health and Science (OHSU) and scientists across the United States, long-term space flight changes the fluid filling space in the brain along veins and arteries The study will be published in the scientific report on May 5 local time.
"As we continue our space exploration, these findings are of great significance. It also forces you to think about some basic scientific questions - and how life on earth evolved," said Juan piantino, the first author of the study
The study involved imaging the brains of 15 astronauts before and after their long-term service on the international space station.
The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure the space around blood vessels in the astronauts' brains before launch and immediately after return. They also underwent MRI measurements again one month, three months and six months after their return. The researchers then compared the astronaut's images with the same perivascular space in the brains of 16 control subjects on earth.
As a result, they found that there was an increase in perivascular space in the brain of first-time astronauts, but there was no difference among astronauts who had previously served on a space station in earth orbit.
"Experienced astronauts may have reached some balance," piantino said.
In all cases, the scientists found no problems with balance or visual memory, which may indicate neurological defects between astronauts, although differences were measured in the perivascular space of their brains.
In comparing a large group of unidentified astronauts, the study is the first to assess an important aspect of brain health in space.
Brain in space
Human physiology is based on the fact that life is formed through millions of years of evolution tied by the earth's gravity. The normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain is changed in space because it is no longer constrained by gravity.
"We are all used to using gravity in our favor. Nature doesn't put our brains under our feet - it puts them high. Once you remove gravity from the equation, what impact does this have on human physiology?" piantino said
The researchers decided to find out by measuring the perivascular space where cerebrospinal fluid flows through the brain. It is understood that these spaces are part of the brain's natural cleaning system that occurs during sleep. This whole brain network, known as the colloidal lymphatic system, removes metabolic proteins that accumulate in the brain. Scientists say the system seems to work best during deep sleep.
The perivascular space measured in the brain is equivalent to drinking water The basic "hardware" of the system. The expansion of these spaces occurs in the process of aging, which is also related to the development of dementia.
Piantino said the study could be valuable in helping diagnose and treat diseases on earth involving cerebrospinal fluid, such as hydrocephalus. "These findings not only help understand the basic changes that occur during space flight, but also help people on earth with diseases that affect cerebrospinal fluid circulation."