Study Investigates , the Impact of Space Travel , on Astronauts' Brains.
A new study suggests that
long space missions could be
damaging to the brains of astronauts. .
A new study suggests that
long space missions could be
damaging to the brains of astronauts. .
'The Independent' reports that spending a long time
in space requires three years for the brain
to recover from changes caused by long journeys. .
The study focused on how the brain responds to leaving
Earth's gravity, which has become a critical question
on the advent of increasingly long journeys into space.
Brain scans of 30 astronauts taken before and after their
journeys into space found that trips over six months
significantly expanded ventricles in the brain.
Ventricles are fluid filled cavities
that protects and nourishes the brain. .
'The Independent' reports that without the Earth's
gravity, the fluid pushes upward in the body
and forces the brain higher in the skull.
'The Independent' reports that without the Earth's
gravity, the fluid pushes upward in the body
and forces the brain higher in the skull.
We found that the more
time people spent in space,
the larger their ventricles became. , Rachael Seidler, Study author and professor of applied physiology
and kinesiology at the University of Florida, via 'The Independent'.
Many astronauts travel to space more
than one time, and our study shows
it takes about three years between
flights for the ventricles to fully recover, Rachael Seidler, Study author and professor of applied physiology
and kinesiology at the University of Florida, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that the study found
that short trips under two weeks resulted
in no noticeable change in the brain.
According to the findings, after six months in space
and without the Earth's gravity, changes in
astronauts' brains appeared to stop progressing.
'The Independent' points out that researchers have yet to
examine space trips over one year, but the results from
six to 12 months appear promising for future astronauts.