According to a new study by a group of scientists from the University of Michigan (USA), during space flights, the human brain changes its shape. The scientific team came to this conclusion after conducting a comparative analysis of the results of magnetic resonance imaging of 12 astronauts who spent several weeks on board the International Space Station, as well as 14 astronauts who lived on the ISS for six months.
In both cases, the scientists noted an increasing and decreasing volume of gray matter in various parts of the astronauts' brains. Moreover, more significant changes were observed in people who spent more time in orbit. Based on these data, it was concluded that the longer a person is in space, the greater the volume of gray matter moves.
“We found large reductions in gray matter in parts of the brain. This may be due to the peculiarities of the redistribution of cerebrospinal fluid in a person in space. Since there is a clear lack of gravity in orbit, fluids are unevenly distributed throughout the body. As a result, in space, humans often experience the so-called swollen face syndrome. In general, spending a long time in space can displace the brain or change the percentage of gray matter in certain parts of the brain,”says lead researcher Rachel Seidler.
As part of the study, the team of scientists noted an increase in the volume of gray matter in the regions of the brain responsible for controlling the movement of the lower limbs and their sensitivity. According to the researchers, this may be the result of the brain trying to understand and adapt to human movement in microgravity. Scientists believe that even in cases of a relatively small amount of time spent in orbit, these changes become very noticeable, as the brain constantly tries to adapt to the conditions on the ISS throughout the day.
Unfortunately, experts have not yet precisely determined the nature of these changes. But if future research succeeds in doing this, then the new information could be extremely useful in the study of diseases such as hydrocephalus. The researchers say this is the first study to show actual changes in the structure of the brain during space travel. However, this is only one of the problems that people who plan to spend a long time in space will have to face. And solving it, like many others, is extremely important even before we go to explore other worlds.
NIKOLAY KHIZHNYAK