In case you missed it, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft has recently broken the record for the most cumulative time spent in space, surpassing NASA's Space Shuttle.
However, as humanity enters a new era of space travel, a recent study sheds light on the potential dangers frequent space travelers face.
A report shared by Phys.org tells us that brain scans conducted on 30 astronauts indicate that physiological changes in the brain require a three-year recovery period after more extended missions.
Space Travel Impacts Astronauts' Health
Published in Scientific Reports, the study focused on the effects of traveling outside Earth's gravity on the human brain.
The researchers discovered a significant expansion in the brain's ventricles in astronauts who completed missions lasting at least six months.
Furthermore, it was determined that less than three years of recovery time might not be sufficient for the ventricles to reset fully.
The ventricles are cavities within the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid, vital in protecting, nourishing, and removing waste from the brain.
Under normal circumstances, the body's mechanisms effectively distribute fluids. However, in the absence of gravity, fluids shift upward, causing the brain to rise within the skull and leading to ventricular expansion.
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A Look at the Findings
Professor Rachael Seidler, an author of the study and a member of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, explains, "We found that the more time people spent in space, the larger their ventricles became."
"Many astronauts travel to space more than once, and our study shows it takes about three years between flights for the ventricles to fully recover," the expert adds.
Ventricular expansion is the most enduring change observed in the brain as a result of spaceflight, according to the findings.
The long-term consequences of this phenomenon on space travelers' health and behavioral well-being are still unknown. However, providing the brain with sufficient recovery time seems like a sensible precautionary measure.
The study analyzed 30 astronauts, comprising eight who embarked on two-week missions, 18 who spent six months in space, and four who stayed for approximately one year. It was observed that ventricular enlargement tapered off after the six-month mark.
"The most significant increase occurs when transitioning from two weeks to six months in space," Seidler noted. "There is no measurable change in ventricular volume after just two weeks."
Importance of the Study
The discovery that shorter space trips have little impact on the brain's physiology is encouraging, particularly with the growing interest in space tourism. While examining the effects of space travel beyond one year is not yet possible, ventricular expansion levels after six months are reassuring.
The study's results significantly impact future crew travel and mission planning. By recognizing the necessary recovery time for astronauts' brains, scientists and space agencies can make informed decisions to safeguard the health and well-being of space travelers.
In related news, scientists have discovered that the human cardiovascular system undergoes significant changes due to reduced gravitational force, also known as microgravity. Furthermore, research has shown that bone mineral loss is a common effect of space travel.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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