NASA studying how zero gravity affects the human

NASA has been actively engaging in many activities recently like shooting world’s first UHD 4K video in space, capturing pictures of Indo-Pak border and so on. The American Space Agency is now being heard of funding researchers to conduct a study on how our human brain can be affected in zero gravity. NASA took this step after astronauts complained of having problems keeping mental balance and perceptual illusions. Since maintaining mental balance while exploring space is absolutely necessary for an astronaut, NASA is probing the issue with much seriousness. This NASA funded study will be focused on examining the changes in the functioning and structure of the brain in zero gravity.

Also it will include finding out how long can take for recovery after the return from space. NASA is hopeful that the study might come up with some ways of coping with the problem.
The researchers will be using a number of techniques in the study for observing the changes in the brain. The study will also include brain imaging as well as behavioral assessments. Astronauts will be participating in the study and might have to certain tests like timed obstacle courses, spatial memory tests, mental ability to picture or manipulate a 3D shape and so on. The tests will be conducted before as well as after the flight.

The mental ability of an individual for manipulating information can be checked using the spatial memory tests. The astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) will be put on these spatial memory tests too. Plus they will also have to undergo computerized exercises and sensory – motor tests. Astronauts will require multitasking as they will have to do their work and think about these simultaneously. The examination will be done many times before the flight and after the flight too and also after the astronauts have spent 6 months in space. The MRI of the brain will be done twice during the mission. Rachael D Seidler, the director of University of Michigan’s ‘Neuromotor Behavior’  and lead researcher on the study said that the brain is largely impacted by the microgravity and the study will involve examining if the gravity changes the size and shape of our brain. Seidler further added that our system balances whenever we move relative to the Earth’s gravity. But in absence of gravity as in Mars, this balance system of ours doesn’t work and brain doesn’t get notified of the head movement which can cause perceptual illusions. Astronauts can even experience difficulty in coordinating eye movements with the head. Seidler pointed out that moving being regions of varying gravity can affect the mental state of the astronauts.

Image Source: bgr.in