A new study reveals that astronauts' brains shift upward and change shape during spaceflight, impacting sensory-related regions. The research highlights the need to understand these changes for the safety and health of astronauts on long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, and is crucial for planning future space exploration.
The research has implications for NASA ’s goals to build a base on the moon and eventually conduct crewed missions to Mars. NASA ’s new immersive simulator allows viewers to experience what would happen if you fall into a black hole.
Astronauts’ brains can change shape and shift positions during stays in space, according to a new study with implications for NASA’s goals to conduct long-duration missions, found that after spaceflight, astronauts’ brains were tilted upward and shifted up and back in the skull relative to their normal positions on Earth. The affected areas of the brain included sensory-related regions linked to motion sickness, disorientation and loss of balance, the scientists found.The research adds to a growing but still nascent field of aerospace medicine focused on the toll that spaceflight and the microgravity environment take on the human body. Such research is crucial for planning long-term missions as NASA looks to build a base on the moon and send astronauts deeper into the solar system. “We need to understand these changes and their impacts to keep astronauts safe and healthy and protect their longevity,” said Rachael Seidler, a professor in the department of applied physiology and kinesiology at the University of Florida and a co-author of the study. Seidler and her colleagues analyzed MRI scans from 26 astronauts before and after their time in orbit. The time the participants spent in space ranged from a few weeks to roughly six months — the standard duration for missions aboard the“The people who went for a year showed the largest changes,” Seidler said. “There were still some changes evident in people who went for two weeks, but duration seems to be the driving factor.” She added that among astronauts who had stayed in space six months or longer, the upward movement was “pretty extensive," particularly in structures at the top of the brain. “It’s on the order of a couple of millimeters,” she said, “which doesn’t sound like a big number, but when you’re talking about brain movement, it really is. That kind of change is visible by eye.” Seidler said the brain changes observed sometimes caused “sensory conflicts” for astronauts while in space, manifesting as temporary disorientation or motion sickness. Back on Earth, the shifts can also contribute to balance issues as the astronauts readjust to Earth’s gravity. But she said the study did not find serious symptoms, such as headaches or cognitive impairment, during or after spaceflight.For comparison, the research team also analyzed brain scans from 24 civilian participants on Earth who were put on bed rest for up to 60 days while tilted back, so that their heads were 6 degrees below their feet. The, and the scientists found similar changes in brain position and shape after the period of bed rest. The astronauts’ brains experienced greater upward shift, though. Dr. Mark Rosenberg, an assistant professor of neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina and the director of its aerospace and performance neurology program, said scientists have known that spaceflight can affect the brain, but Seidler’s study is the first to document how those upward shifts influence how astronauts function in space and back on Earth. “We knew the brain shifts upward, but does it actually have any kind of operational impact?” said Rosenberg, who was not involved with the study. “This study is able to make some of those associations.” The findings raise new questions for potential follow-up, such as whether there are differences between brain changes among male and female astronauts, and whether a crew member’s age is a factor. Piecing together a complete picture, however, is limited by a sample size problem: Only up to a dozen or so astronauts launch to the International Space Station each year, and NASA’s astronaut corps has historically been dominated by men.deterioration of muscle strength and fluid redistribution — the shifts do not appear to be permanent. After the body readjusts to the familiar tug of Earth’s gravity, things more or less return to normal, Rosenberg said.“If you’ve been on Mars with one-third Earth’s gravity, or on the moon with one-sixth Earth’s gravity, will it take three or six times as long to get back to normal?” Rosenberg said. He and Seidler both said the findings so far should not be viewed as an argument against humans spending extended periods in space. But it will be critical to figure out if there is any lasting damage and how to avoid it, if possible. “Whether we care to admit it or not, we are eventually going to become a space-faring species,” Rosenberg said. “It’s only a matter of time. And these are just some of the unanswered questions that we need to sort out.” NASA’s PACE satellite is now orbiting Earth, giving a more detailed look at plankton in our oceans and aerosols in our atmosphere. Scientists hope to better understand how climate change is affecting Earth’s carbon cycle. National climate reporter Chase Cain explains how, for scientists, it will be like coloring with a much bigger box of crayons.
Spaceflight Astronauts Brain NASA Microgravity
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Missing sleep may take a hidden toll on your brain and longevity, research revealsFox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »
Crumbl reveals menu changes, halving number of weekly rotating cookiesThe popular cookie company has a new batch of lineups on the menu in 2026.
Read more »
Study Reveals AI Probably Can’t Do Your JobWorkers may have more time than they thought before robots take all the jobs.
Read more »
DNA from ancient viral infections helps embryos develop, mouse study revealsClarissa Brincat is a freelance writer specializing in health and medical research. After completing an MSc in chemistry, she realized she would rather write about science than do it. She learned how to edit scientific papers in a stint as a chemistry copyeditor, before moving on to a medical writer role at a healthcare company.
Read more »
Study Reveals What Space Does to Astronauts’ BrainsThe study has broad implications regarding the effects of spaceflight on the human anatomy.
Read more »
Astronaut Brains Shift in Space: Study Reveals Impact of MicrogravityA new study reveals that astronauts' brains change shape and position during spaceflight, shifting upward and backward within the skull, potentially causing sensory conflicts. This research is critical for understanding the effects of long-duration space missions and ensuring astronaut safety as NASA plans lunar and Martian missions.
Read more »