There is a connection of gravity and brain. Astronauts’ brains compress and expand during spaceflight. The changes are more pronounced longer the astronauts spent time in space.
These observations were concluded from the brain scans before and after space missions. The study was published in the journal Nature Microgravity.
The researchers examined structural MRIs in 12 astronauts who spent two weeks as shuttle crew members, and 14 who spent six months on the International Space Station.
“We found large regions of grey matter volume decreases, which could be related to redistribution of cerebrospinal fluid in space,” said principal investigator Rachael Seidler, Professor at University of Michigan in the US.
“Gravity is not available to pull fluids down in the body, resulting in so-called puffy face in space. This may result in a shift of brain position or compression,” Seidler noted.
The researchers also found increases in grey matter volume in regions that control leg movement and process sensory information from legs, which may reflect changes related to the brain learning how to move in microgravity.
But the brain changes researchers observed were equivalent to someone practising a new skill round-the-clock.
“In space, it’s an extreme example of neuroplasticity in the brain because you’re in a microgravity environment 24 hours a day,” Seidler said.
“The behaviour may return to normal, but the way the brain controls the behaviour may change,” she said.
Also Read: Alleged 9/11 plotter writes a letter to Obama from Guantanamo