Effects of a spaceflight analog environment on brain connectivity and behavior

Cassady, Kaitlin; Koppelmans, Vincent; Reuter‐Lorenz, Patricia A.; Dios, Yiri De; Gadd, N. E.; Wood, Scott J.; Castenada, R. Riascos; Kofman, I. S.; Bloomberg, Jacob J.; Mulavara, Ajitkumar P.; Seidler, Rachael D.

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.07.029

Cited by 58 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…an individual with the greatest increase in connectivity strength between the motor and somatosensory cortices demonstrated least behavioral impairment following bed rest. This result, together with the findings from Roberts and colleagues, 57 suggests that changes in body orientation and unloading, as seen in HDBR, may induce compensatory neural processes, 71 a finding highly relevant for spaceflight and future space missions. Moreover, it might be the case that individual variability in neural adaptation compensates for the detrimental effects of HDBR, and spaceflight in that matter, more in some participants than in others.…”

Section: Overview and Critical Appraisal Of The Current Literaturementioning

confidence: 77%

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Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

et al. 2017

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Space travel poses an enormous challenge on the human body; microgravity, ionizing radiation, absence of circadian rhythm, confinement and isolation are just some of the features associated with it. Obviously, all of the latter can have an impact on human physiology and even induce detrimental changes. Some organ systems have been studied thoroughly under space conditions, however, not much is known on the functional and morphological effects of spaceflight on the human central nervous system. Previous studies have already shown that central nervous system changes occur during and after spaceflight in the form of neurovestibular problems, alterations in cognitive function and sensory perception, cephalic fluid shifts and psychological disturbances. However, little is known about the underlying neural substrates. In this review, we discuss the current limited knowledge on neuroplastic changes in the human central nervous system associated with spaceflight (actual or simulated) as measured by magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques. Furthermore, we discuss these findings as well as their future perspectives, since this can encourage future research into this delicate and intriguing aspect of spaceflight. Currently, the literature suffers from heterogeneous experimental set-ups and therefore, the lack of comparability of findings among studies. However, the cerebellum, cortical sensorimotor and somatosensory areas and vestibular-related pathways seem to be involved across different studies, suggesting that these brain regions are most affected by (simulated) spaceflight. Extending this knowledge is crucial, especially with the eye on long-duration interplanetary missions (e.g. Mars) and space tourism.

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Section: Overview and Critical Appraisal Of The Current Literaturementioning

confidence: 77%

“…71 A behavioral assessment as well as rsfMRI scans were conducted at 7 time points: two measurements pre-HDBR, three measurements during HDBR and two measurements post-HDBR. In addition, a control group of 14 subjects was added to the study, to take into account the effects of time and practice.…”

Section: Overview and Critical Appraisal Of The Current Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

et al. 2017

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“…Clearly and unlike the situation on Earth with anti-depressant administration, the long term psychological effects of prolonged antidepressant medication are completely unknown. Recently a study in a head-down tilt model as an analog of spaceflight using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging support brain neuronal network alterations which associated with changes in sensorimotor and spatial working memory performance [45]. This may suggest that alterations in neuroplasticity maybe a consequence of adaptation to simulated microgravity and further substantiate monitoring of sensorimotor performance as a part of the risk management plan.…”

Section: Neuronal and Neurovestibularmentioning

confidence: 81%

Ergonomic Challenges for Astronauts during Space Travel and the Need for Space Medicine

Braddock¹

2017

J Ergonomics

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“…These studies often serve to highlight an area for exploration using other tools such as fMRI [16,69]. The present case fits into this body of work by investigating another method of examining a more complex experiment whose variables are not readily analyzed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…See the review by Van Ombergen et al (2017) on spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity for an overview [15] and the work by Cassady et al (2016) for an example of the use of fMRI techniques in investigating changes in sensory network connections in the brain in simulated spaceflight environments [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal tracking of physiological state with electromyographic signals.

Stallard¹

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Effects of a spaceflight analog environment on brain connectivity and behavior

Cited by 58 publications

References 74 publications

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

Ergonomic Challenges for Astronauts during Space Travel and the Need for Space Medicine

Longitudinal tracking of physiological state with electromyographic signals.

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