Neuropsychological considerations for long-duration deep spaceflight

Abstract

The deep space environment far beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) introduces multiple and simultaneous risks for the functioning and health of the central nervous system (CNS), which may impair astronauts’ performance and wellbeing. As future deep space missions to Mars, moons, or asteroids will also exceed current LEO stay durations and are estimated to require up to 3 years, we review recent evidence with contemporary and historic spaceflight case studies addressing implications for long-duration missions. To highlight the need for specific further investigations, we provide neuropsychological considerations integrating cognitive and motor functions, neuroimaging, neurological biomarkers, behavior changes, and mood and affect to construct a multifactorial profile to explain performance variability, subjective experience, and potential risks. We discuss the importance of adopting a neuropsychological approach to long-duration deep spaceflight (LDDS) missions and draw specific recommendations for future research in space neuropsychology.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a countermeasure for behavioral and neuropsychological risks of long-duration and deep-space missions

“…Furthermore, preliminary findings indicate the ability of TMS to facilitate neuroplasticity 26 . Such evidence is encouraging, as it suggests a proactive role of TMS and emphasizes the need for further research into cognitive enhancement in the general population, including healthy, high-performing individuals, and can be tested as a means to counter the deleterious effects of the space environment on cognition 5 . Accordingly, a TRISH-funded study is currently studying TMS for enhancement of cognitive as a direct countermeasure to cognitive decline in long-duration space missions 27 .…”

“…As planned and prospective missions extend both in duration and reach, the risks of human exposure to the spaceflight environment are a growing concern for crew health and well-being, as well as for mission success. Among the multisystemic risks of space exposure, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 2 , 3 recognizes that spaceflight can compromise the central nervous system (CNS) and could lead to behavioral 4 and neuropsychological 5 impairments. Specifically, extended stay in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environment, exposure to cosmic radiation, structural and functional alterations to the CNS in micro and zero gravity, and space-related disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms pose major threats to behavioral and cognitive health and performance of space crews 5 , 6 .…”

Long-term space missions’ effects on the human organism: what we do know and what requires further research

“…Since the psychosocial aspect of long-term space missions is very complex, and includes individual, interpersonal, and organizational issues, it is necessary to implement methods that effectively control and select the candidates for space missions, especially the long-term ones ( Palinkas, 2001 ). The initial examinations for crew members should include neuropsychological evaluation in order to stratify the risk and assess the behavioral profile of astronauts ( Faerman et al, 2023 ). The key emotion occurring among space crew is stress.…”

Potential Biomarkers of Resilience to Microgravity Hazards in Astronauts

“…Microgravity, a condition characterized by the virtual absence of gravitational forces, induces a range of physiological adaptations that can pose significant health risks to crew members [ 2 ]. As space agencies plan for longer-duration missions beyond low-Earth orbit, understanding and mitigating the effects of microgravity on astronaut health becomes increasingly critical [ 3 ]. While microgravity induces substantial changes in various physiological systems [ 1 , 2 ], substantial inter-individual variability exists in the extent to which astronauts experience adverse effects from microgravity exposure [ 4 ].…”