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REVIEW
Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2020 October;64(5):468-79
DOI: 10.23736/S0390-5616.20.04927-9
Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
language: English
Visual changes after space flight: is it really caused by increased intracranial tension? A systematic review
Reem ELWY 1, Mohamed A. SOLIMAN 1, 2 ✉, Amr A. HASANAIN 1, Ahmed A. EZZAT 1, Mohammad ELBAROODY 1, Mohamed F. ALSAWY 1, Ehab EL REFAEE 1, 3
1 Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada; 3 Department of Neurosurgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
INTRODUCTION: Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) was linked to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) attributable to the combined effects of microgravity and environmental conditions encountered during spaceflight. Microgravity countermeasures as lower body negative pressure (LBNP) are potential interventions for SANS. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive qualitative analysis of literature contrasting simulation and spaceflight studies, focusing on the pathophysiology of SANS, and highlighting gaps in current knowledge.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We systematically searched PubMed electronic database for English primary research published until February 2019 discussing intracranial changes in spaceflight or simulated microgravity, excluding animal and experimental studies. Two authors screened all the abstracts with a third author resolving disagreements. The full-text manuscripts were analyzed in pilot-tested tables.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nineteen studies were reviewed; 13 simulation, and two out of six spaceflight studies were prospective. ICP changes were investigated in 11 simulation studies, where eight demonstrated a significant increase in ICP after variable periods of head-down tilt. three showed a significant increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) in conjunction with ICP elevation. With increasing ambient CO
CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to microgravity increases ICP possibly precipitating ocular changes. Whether other factors come into play is the subject of investigation. Further randomized studies and methods of direct ICP measurement during spaceflight are needed.
KEY WORDS: Astronauts; Intracranial pressure; Weightlessness; Papilledema; Space flight