A review of astronaut mental health in manned missions: Potential interventions for cognitive and mental health challenges

Oluwafemi, Funmilola Adebisi; Abdelbaki, Rayan; Lai, Jacob; Mora-Almanza, Jose G.; Afolayan, Esther Morayo

doi:10.1016/j.lssr.2020.12.002

Cited by 39 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…One of the most promising ways to prevent and mitigate the acute effects of CNS and the neurocognitive impairment during long-term spaceflight is based on the use of substances (e.g., Dammarane Sapogenins) ( 75 ). These and other possible strategies ( 76 ) are not yet included in the actual predictive models.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dose-Effects Models for Space Radiobiology: An Overview on Dose-Effect Relationships

Strigari

Strolin

Morganti

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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Space radiobiology is an interdisciplinary science that examines the biological effects of ionizing radiation on humans involved in aerospace missions. The dose-effect models are one of the relevant topics of space radiobiology. Their knowledge is crucial for optimizing radioprotection strategies (e.g., spaceship and lunar space station-shielding and lunar/Mars village design), the risk assessment of the health hazard related to human space exploration, and reducing damages induced to astronauts from galactic cosmic radiation. Dose-effect relationships describe the observed damages to normal tissues or cancer induction during and after space flights. They are developed for the various dose ranges and radiation qualities characterizing the actual and the forecast space missions [International Space Station (ISS) and solar system exploration]. Based on a Pubmed search including 53 papers reporting the collected dose-effect relationships after space missions or in ground simulations, 7 significant dose-effect relationships (e.g., eye flashes, cataract, central nervous systems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chromosomal aberrations, and biomarkers) have been identified. For each considered effect, the absorbed dose thresholds and the uncertainties/limitations of the developed relationships are summarized and discussed. The current knowledge on this topic can benefit from further in vitro and in vivo radiobiological studies, an accurate characterization of the quality of space radiation, and the numerous experimental dose-effects data derived from the experience in the clinical use of ionizing radiation for diagnostic or treatments with doses similar to those foreseen for the future space missions. The growing number of pooled studies could improve the prediction ability of dose-effect relationships for space exposure and reduce their uncertainty level. Novel research in the field is of paramount importance to reduce damages to astronauts from cosmic radiation before Beyond Low Earth Orbit exploration in the next future. The study aims at providing an overview of the published dose-effect relationships and illustrates novel perspectives to inspire future research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dose-Effects Models for Space Radiobiology: An Overview on Dose-Effect Relationships

Strigari

Strolin

Morganti

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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“…Psychological and social issues affect astronauts proportionally to the duration of the space mission ( Oluwafemi et al, 2021 ). Not only isolation, confinement, separation from families and interpersonal tensions but also sleep disorders generate stress.…”

Section: Platelets In Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

Platelets in Wound Healing: What Happens in Space?

Locatelli

Colciago

Castiglioni

et al. 2021

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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Beyond their fundamental role in hemostasis, platelets importantly contribute to other processes aimed at maintaining homeostasis. Indeed, platelets are a natural source of growth factors and also release many other substances—such as fibronectin, vitronectin, sphingosine 1-phosphate—that are important in maintaining healthy tissues, and ensuring regeneration and repair. Despite rare thrombotic events have been documented in astronauts, some in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that microgravity affects platelet’s number and function, thus increasing the risk of hemorrhages and contributing to retard wound healing. Here we provide an overview about events linking platelets to the impairment of wound healing in space, also considering, besides weightlessness, exposure to radiation and psychological stress. In the end we discuss the possibility of utilizing platelet rich plasma as a tool to treat skin injuries eventually occurring during space missions.

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“…There is a wealth of literature that has been generated from the COVID-19 lockdowns experienced in 2020, much of which attests to the threat to human health posed by restrictions on movement and poor diet (Parekh and Deierlein, 2020; Di Renzo et al , 2020; Gibbs et al , 2015). These themes of isolation and physical restrictions are already associated with space travel, and the prospect of living and working in space is associated with a hostile and challenging environment, which may exacerbate the risks of the development of non-communicable diseases (Oluwafemi et al , 2021). That environment also poses the risks of biological disease threats, and therefore, the governance of infection control in the extraterritorial context must be addressed, including transmission risks between off-world and global environments.…”

Section: Critical Challenges Requiring Governance Framework Considerations: Towards Flourishing Spacescapesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, it is known that space travel is associated with radiation exposure and the disease risks connected with this (Hu et al , 2020) as well as chemosensory changes (Hunter et al , 2002). There is also evidence pointing to the mental health challenges posed by the isolation and confinement which characterises space travel (Oluwafemi et al , 2021). The physical and mental well-being of research participants is brought into sharp focus when considering the expansion of human space activity beyond its current limits.…”

Section: Critical Challenges Requiring Governance Framework Considerations: Towards Flourishing Spacescapesmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Un)earthly governance: beyond functional frameworks to flourishing spacescapes

Mouat

Techera

Notebaert

et al. 2021

JPPEL

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Purpose Humanity has a weakness in how we approach the “challenge” of using outer space. This paper aims to show how the global and national frameworks that address our planetary activities and crises are inadequate for the opportunities and challenges of life in outer space. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on multidisciplinary perspectives to refine an organising governance framework that better showcases the challenges and pathways needed for living and thriving in space-age. The authors prioritise two key pillars and overview the practical and social implications that space-age humanity must address. Findings Social sciences and humanities are vital to problematising post-war colonial legacies of governance by distinguishing the unique and overlooked challenges for thriving and working offworld and identifying progressive research agendas. Research limitations/implications The highlighted agenda has implications for collaborative research institutes and project design. As the vital basis for continuous learning, university-based research institutes span bodies of knowledge, experience, convention and imagination that can support vibrant and overdue debate on good governance that is out of this world. Practical implications This expansive approach has practical implications for the decision-making processes and subjects of spacescape, from reconciling the space commons with prospecting and human occupation to potential governance regimes that capitalise on the zeal for moving beyond merely “existing” off-world. Social implications Examining the governance deficit as we pursue developing spacescape frontiers is an enriching (not reductionist) agenda that deliberately troubles the existing and emerging regime for governing our scientific and imagined off-world society. Originality/value This framework appeals to humanity’s highest evolution in co-producing a fair and flourishing off-world governance framework (beyond replicating planetary regimes).

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A review of astronaut mental health in manned missions: Potential interventions for cognitive and mental health challenges

Cited by 39 publications

References 40 publications

Dose-Effects Models for Space Radiobiology: An Overview on Dose-Effect Relationships

Dose-Effects Models for Space Radiobiology: An Overview on Dose-Effect Relationships

Platelets in Wound Healing: What Happens in Space?

(Un)earthly governance: beyond functional frameworks to flourishing spacescapes

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