The Effect of Microgravity-Like Conditions on High-Level Cognition: A Review

Abstract

With an increasing interest in space traveling, the potential risks and benefits of microgravity on mental functioning is becoming a central research issue. Here we briefly reviewed a series of behavioral studies in order to identify what is known and not known about the effects of microgravity on higher cognitive functions. We first used a general approach to describe the interaction between microgravity and higher cognition. Subsequently, we analytically described a series of studies that focused on single high-level cognitive processes (e.g., mental imagery, working memory, etc.). Altogether, these findings point to a complex pattern of data mainly explained by the variety of methodological aspects (e.g., duration of microgravity-like conditions, low number of studies). Even so, the importance of higher-level cognitive functions for space performance remains fundamental and deserves further attention. These data are ultimately interesting in light of the potential long-term effects that microgravity may play on return to Earth.

Affective health and countermeasures in long-duration space exploration

“…These are primarily used to investigate the effects of microgravity on human body and mind. Because volunteers lie down on a bed tilted at a 6-degree angle for a period ranging from several hours to several weeks, HDBR allows researchers to study microgravity effects on brain and cardiovascular system (e.g., see Chen et al., 2016 ; Liu et al., 2012 , 2015 ; Mammarella, 2020a , 2020b ). In the dry immersion procedure (DI), a volunteer is immersed in a tank surrounded by a bladder filled with thermoneutral water, so he or she is suspended in the water but remains dry and experiences a constellation of bed-rest-like effects on the muscular, bone, and cardiovascular systems ( Navasiolava et al., 2011 ).…”

Examination of Some Factors That May Affect Learning and Memory in the Space Environment

“…Görüldüğü gibi bu çekim ay'da dünyanın %16'sı kadar, Mars'ta ise %38 kadarına karşılık gelmektedir (Kanas ve Manzey, 2008, Clement ve Reschke 2008. Bugüne kadar yapılan çalışmalarda mikrogravite ve yüksek bilişsel işlevler arasındaki etkiyi gösteren (olumsuz yönde) çalışmalara rastlanmadığı gibi kafa karışıklığı yaratan sonuçlarda bulunmuştur (Lipnicki ve Gunga, 2009, Clément, 2007, Mammarella, 2020. Yeryüzünde yapılan mikrogravite simülasyon çalışmalarının bir kısmında, genel yaratıcı düşünme sorunları ve matematiksel işlemleri kapsayan hafıza görevlerinde sorunlar ortaya çıktığı bildirilmiştir (Connors ve ark., 1986, Seaton ve ark., 2007.…”

Brains in space: the importance of understanding the impact of long-duration spaceflight on spatial cognition and its neural circuitry

“…However, because of different approaches, methodologies, study durations, and small sizes, the effects of spaceflight on cognitive functions remain to be determined. However, because of different approaches, methodologies, study durations, and small sizes, the effects of spaceflight on cognitive functions remain to be determined (Mammarella 2020 ). Together, these data raise several key questions: (1) Could more complex cognitive and operational tasks be more sensitive to changes of inflight performance?…”