Scientists analyzed blood samples taken from astronauts before and after their flight to the International Space Station.
< p> A long period of weightlessness affects the physiological processes in humans. A new study brings us closer to understanding what kind of changes occur in the human body in space.
Brain plasticity
The human brain has neuroplasticity, which means it can change under the influence of experience, form new connections after damage, and adapt throughout our lives. Thanks to neuroplasticity, our personality changes and becomes more complex, even if we have passed the student age. Our brain also knows how to restore lost connections in case of injury.
Such properties of human consciousness cannot but interest scientists. In particular, in the era of active space exploration, researchers are interested in the effect of long-term flights and weightlessness on the human brain. Previously, researchers from Russia, Germany and Sweden found that after returning to Earth, astronauts' blood levels increase in proteins inherent in brain injuries.
Scientists analyzed blood samples taken from astronauts before and after the flight to the International Space Station (ISS), and found that a long stay in space can provoke brain damage. Experts stressed that this fact will need to be taken into account if space travel becomes more common in the future.
Space changes the brain
The new study is the first to analyze the structural changes that occur in the brain after a long space flight.
The results show significant microstructural changes in the white matter of the brain, namely in the sensorimotor tracts — corpus callosum, arcuate fasciculus, corticospinal, corticostriatal and cerebellar tracts. This shows how the human brain adapts to the conditions of weightlessness and other restrictions on board the ship.
The study participants were 12 male astronauts, who spent a total of 6 months on the ISS. It confirmed that the level of neuroplasticity in the brain adapts to weightlessness.
We found changes in the neural connections between several motor areas of the brain. In zero gravity, an astronaut needs to radically adapt their propulsion strategies. Our study shows that their brains are rewiring,
the scientists emphasized.
The scientists note that this work could form the basis for future research on brain changes under weightless conditions.