Intracranial pressure in outer space: preparing for the mission to Mars

Tymko, Michael M.; Boulet, Lindsey M.; Donnelly, Joseph E.

doi:10.1113/jp274315

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Additional studies are needed to determine which aspects of spaceflight are responsible for photoreceptor damage and oxidative stress. Leading causes include radiation and possible alterations in intracranial pressure (ICP) or intraocular pressure (IOP) 60,61 induced by microgravity. It is possible that both space radiation and microgravity work in conjunction with one another to cause a more severe pathological result than either would in isolation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spaceflight influences gene expression, photoreceptor integrity, and oxidative stress-related damage in the murine retina

Overbey

Silveira

Stanbouly

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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Extended spaceflight has been shown to adversely affect astronaut visual acuity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether spaceflight alters gene expression profiles and induces oxidative damage in the retina. Ten week old adult C57BL/6 male mice were flown aboard the ISS for 35 days and returned to Earth alive. Ground control mice were maintained on Earth under identical environmental conditions. Within 38 (+/−4) hours after splashdown, mice ocular tissues were collected for analysis. RNA sequencing detected 600 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in murine spaceflight retinas, which were enriched for genes related to visual perception, the phototransduction pathway, and numerous retina and photoreceptor phenotype categories. Twelve DEGs were associated with retinitis pigmentosa, characterized by dystrophy of the photoreceptor layer rods and cones. Differentially expressed transcription factors indicated changes in chromatin structure, offering clues to the observed phenotypic changes. Immunofluorescence assays showed degradation of cone photoreceptors and increased retinal oxidative stress. Total retinal, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid layer thickness were significantly lower after spaceflight. These results indicate that retinal performance may decrease over extended periods of spaceflight and cause visual impairment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spaceflight influences gene expression, photoreceptor integrity, and oxidative stress-related damage in the murine retina

Overbey

Silveira

Stanbouly

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…The microgravity-induced redistribution of fluid to the upper part of the body has profound effects on multiple organs. For example, it leads to an elevation of intracranial pressure, which increases to greater levels than intraocular pressure, leading to a pressure gradient that is thought to be responsible for a frequently reported visual impairment 8 . Simultaneously, the reduction in gravitational force leads to significant changes in the vestibular system, leading to impaired balance, locomotion, eye-head-hand coordination as well as motion sickness within the first days of spaceflight 9 .…”

Section: Human Missions - the Physiological Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Human Missions -The Physiological Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Space habitats for bioengineering and surgical repair: addressing the requirement for reconstructive and research tissues during deep-space missions

2023

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Numerous technical scenarios have been developed to facilitate a human return to the Moon, and as a testbed for a subsequent mission to Mars. Crews appointed with constructing and establishing planetary bases will require a superior level of physical ability to cope with the operational demands. However, the challenging environments of nearby planets (e.g. geological, atmospheric, gravitational conditions) as well as the lengthy journeys through microgravity, will lead to progressive tissue degradation and an increased susceptibility to injury. The isolation, distance and inability to evacuate in an emergency will require autonomous medical support, as well as a range of facilities and specialised equipment to repair tissue damage on-site. Here, we discuss the design requirements of such a facility, in the form of a habitat that would concomitantly allow tissue substitute production, maintenance and surgical implantation, with an emphasis on connective tissues. The requirements for the individual modules and their operation are identified. Several concepts are assessed, including the presence of adjacent wet lab and medical modules supporting the gradual implementation of regenerative biomaterials and acellular tissue substitutes, leading to eventual tissue grafts and, in subsequent decades, potential tissues/organ-like structures. The latter, currently in early phases of development, are assessed particularly for researching the effects of extreme conditions on representative analogues for astronaut health support. Technical solutions are discussed for bioengineering in an isolated planetary environment with hypogravity, from fluid-gel bath suspended manufacture to cryostorage, cell sourcing and on-site resource utilisation for laboratory infrastructure. Surgical considerations are also discussed.

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“…For example, monitoring ICP during spaceflight is a topic of interest, with invasive measurements such as lumbar puncture currently not feasible inflight. Therefore, deployment of non-invasive devices to measure ICP is desirable ( 70 , 71 ). Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) phase change is a candidate non-invasive method to monitor ICP.…”

Section: Countermeasure Testing and Monitoring Development In Head-down Tilt Bed Restmentioning

confidence: 99%

Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest Studies as a Terrestrial Analog for Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome

2021

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Astronauts who undergo prolonged periods of spaceflight may develop a unique constellation of neuro-ocular findings termed Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). SANS is a disorder that is unique to spaceflight and has no terrestrial equivalent. The prevalence of SANS increases with increasing spaceflight duration and although there have been residual, structural, ocular changes noted, no irreversible or permanent visual loss has occurred after SANS, with the longest spaceflight to date being 14 months. These microgravity-induced findings are being actively investigated by the United States' National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) and SANS is a potential obstacle to future longer duration, manned, deep space flight missions. The pathophysiology of SANS remains incompletely understood but continues to be a subject of intense study by NASA and others. The study of SANS is of course partially limited by the small sample size of humans undergoing spaceflight. Therefore, identifying a terrestrial experimental model of SANS is imperative to facilitate its study and for testing of preventative measures and treatments. Head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR) on Earth has emerged as one promising possibility. In this paper, we review the HDTBR as an analog for SANS pathogenesis; the clinical and imaging overlap between SANS and HDTBR studies; and potential SANS countermeasures that have been or could be tested with HDTBR.

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Intracranial pressure in outer space: preparing for the mission to Mars

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Spaceflight influences gene expression, photoreceptor integrity, and oxidative stress-related damage in the murine retina

Spaceflight influences gene expression, photoreceptor integrity, and oxidative stress-related damage in the murine retina

Space habitats for bioengineering and surgical repair: addressing the requirement for reconstructive and research tissues during deep-space missions

Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest Studies as a Terrestrial Analog for Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome

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