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Effects of Microgravity and Space Radiation on the Nervous System

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Spaceflight and the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Humankind has always focused on outer space, especially the planetary system of our solar system. Space exploration exposes travelers to a variety of gravitational stresses. Examples include increased acceleration forces during launch and landing, partial gravity on extra-terrestrial locations such as the Moon or Mars, and microgravity during orbital missions and flights between planetary bodies. Space flight environments usually have additional stressors associated with them in addition to the lack of a gravitational vector. Isolation, noise, radiation, toxin buildup, and operational pressures all combine to create a uniquely stressful environment.

Short-duration spaceflight onboard the space shuttle is a unique experience that includes a unique set of stressors that contribute to the dysregulation of nervous system. Astronauts on ISS missions experience many similar stressors for a much longer duration. In this chapter, we have discussed the physiological effects of microgravity and space radiations on the nervous system. Emphasis is laid on understanding the neurological alterations that could occur in outer space. It gives an overview of how nervous system that evolved in a gravitational field changes its function upon exposure to microgravity and space radiations. Furthermore, accessible countermeasures will be deliberated, including a description of microgravity analogs. Eventually, the knowledge of changes in the nervous system due to microgravity and radiation will provide vision into the functioning of nervous system on our planet earth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA

    Vivek Mann & Alamelu Sundaresan

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA

    Marie-Francoise J. Doursout

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Mc Govern Medical School at UT Health, Houston, TX, USA

    Sundar Devakottai

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  1. Vivek Mann
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  2. Alamelu Sundaresan
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  3. Marie-Francoise J. Doursout
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  4. Sundar Devakottai
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Correspondence to Vivek Mann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurological Surgeon, Mercy Clinic Neurosurgery, Saint Louis, MO, USA

    Alex P. Michael

  2. Director of Teleoncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Christian Otto

  3. NASA Neuroscience, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Millard F. Reschke

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Alan R. Hargens

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Mann, V., Sundaresan, A., Doursout, MF.J., Devakottai, S. (2022). Effects of Microgravity and Space Radiation on the Nervous System. In: Michael, A.P., Otto, C., Reschke, M.F., Hargens, A.R. (eds) Spaceflight and the Central Nervous System. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18440-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18440-6_3

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