Space radiation risks to the central nervous system

Dose- and ApoE Isoform-Dependent Cognitive Injury after Cranial56Fe Irradiation in Female Mice

“…While two of the 84 AD-related genes (Apbb1 and Lrp1) were down-regulated acutely (4 hr) in the hippocampus, only Il1-α was down-regulated after 1 yr. In a follow-up study using 5 and 10 cGy of 290 MeV/n 12 C ions (Wang et al 2014), there again was no evidence of accelerated amyloid-β or tau protein pathology; however, a different suite of 6 genes showed acute expression level changes, and Il1-α was again down-regulated after 1 yr. Thus, in mouse models predisposed to pathogenic changes, there may be an acceleration of neurodegenerative pathology by charged particles.…”

“…Secondary particles produced through nuclear reaction in shielding and tissue, including neutrons, protons, helium nuclei, mesons, and gamma-rays, are also a concern. In interplanetary space, a GCR organ dose and dose equivalent of more than 0.2 Gy and 0.6 Sv per year, respectively, are expected (Cucinotta et al 2003(Cucinotta et al , 2014. The high energies of GCR allow them to penetrate to 100s of cm through any material, thus precluding radiation shielding as a comprehensive mitigation measure for GCR risks on the CNS.…”

“…Recent reviews of data for space-like radiation fields and low-dose photon studies through (NCRP 2014NCRP 2006;Nelson 2009;Cucinotta et al 2014) conclude that there is evidence for significant alterations in behavioral, neurogenic, neurochemical, inflammatory, and electrophysiological changes to the CNS elicited by space-like radiation fields generated by accelerators. New observations described below extend these largely phenomenological observations to more mechanistic levels and lower doses.…”

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

“…Perturbations of and risks of defects in central nervous system [CNS] function may be achieved by microgravity, magnetic fields and exposure to ionizing radiation [43,44]. Effects of radiation on the CNS have been studied using non-clinical model systems from particle accelerators simulating space radiation and can be gleaned by systematically reviewing CNS effects on cancer patients who have received radiotherapy and subjects who have been exposed to radiation through nuclear warfare.…”

“…Effects of radiation on the CNS have been studied using non-clinical model systems from particle accelerators simulating space radiation and can be gleaned by systematically reviewing CNS effects on cancer patients who have received radiotherapy and subjects who have been exposed to radiation through nuclear warfare. Alterations in cognitive abilities, reduction of motor functions and behavioural changes are risks which must be accommodated within any risk management plan as they may occur on an acute or chronic basis [43]. Motion sickness and depressed mood may be treated pharmacologically with anti-emetics and anti-depressants.…”