A review of alterations to the brain during spaceflight and the potential relevance to crew in long-duration space exploration.

ABSTRACT: During spaceflight, the central nervous system (CNS) is exposed to a complex array of environmental stressors. However, the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the CNS and the resulting impact to crew health and operational performance remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding spaceflight-associated changes to the brain as measured by magnetic resonance imaging, particularly as they relate to mission duration. Numerous studies have reported macrostructural changes to the brain after spaceflight, including alterations in brain position, tissue volumes and cerebrospinal fluid distribution and dynamics. Changes in brain tissue microstructure and connectivity were also described, involving regions related to vestibular, cerebellar, visual, motor,

SUBMITTER: Roy-O'Reilly M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7887220 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature