Long duration space flights are key to new, valuable knowledge about how the cosmos works. However, many studies show that this activity comes at a great price, as it endangers the health of our astronauts regardless of their status before deployment.
In a new study, researchers presented more evidence regarding the matter. According to their findings, there are more unknown issues that could damage space travelers' health.
Brain's Perivascular Spaces and Microgravity
381298 08: Astronaut William (Bill) Mcarthur, Appears Suspended Over The Blue And White Earth on October 15, 2000, During Space Walk Activities Near The Longerons Of The Space Shuttle Discovery.
The microgravity in space is among the largest factors that could entirely change the functioning systems of the astronauts in space. This significant shift from the normal environment that a human body experiences on Earth could impact the network of blood vessels spanning across the body. Due to the changes in these vessels, the organs attached to them are also affected.
A scientific community from the United States led the research which tackled the impact of long-term microgravity exposure on the brain. The experts carried out a series of examinations using magnetic resonance imaging or MRI to scan the brain organs of 15 astronauts.
The MRI scans were taken from the individuals before flying to the International Space Station (ISS). Another set was taken from the same people after their respective missions that progressed for about six months, reports Science Alert.
The authors of the paper utilized an advanced algorithm to assess the cranium of the participants and effectively specify the data needed for the investigation. This screening focuses on getting the perivascular spaces or the gaps between brain tissues that serve as the regulator of fluid balance throughout the organ.
For the first time, scientists saw this brain's plumbing system incur profound changes when exposed to the unusual environment outside the space for longer periods.
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Homeostasis in Brain of Astronauts After Long-Term Space Exposure
Oregon Health and Science University's neurology specialist Juan Piantino, who also led the study, explained in the institute's press release that their observation found some type of homeostasis in the brain of the astronauts.
When the set of brain scans was compared, the experts found little but distinct changes in the size of the organ's perivascular spaces. This finding supports an earlier theory that the brain is distorted from its natural state when placed in an environment where the constant tug of gravity is absent.
The fluids flowing throughout the brain and the organ's tissues recover slower due to longer periods of exposure to space. Brains experiencing this phenomenon could revert to their 'Earthly' status in a year or more.
Today, there are rare trips that deploy the same astronaut for missions spanning six months or over, but with the rampant advancements of space commercialization, changes are expected.
Further studies are required to point out the exact health risks that an astronaut could get when deployed repetitively to long-term missions in space.
The study was published in Scientific Reports, titled "Longitudinal MRI-visible perivascular space (PVS) changes with long-duration spaceflight."
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