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Traveling in space can lead to lasting effects on the brain, the first long-term study in Russian cosmonauts has warned. It can also lead to muscle atrophy and reductions in bone density. This research is from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) in Germany.
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It remains unclear whether and to what extent the neuroanatomical changes so far persisted following normal gravity, they said.
The brain scans of astronauts revealed significant structural changes as a result of these extra-terrestrial journeys. Their brains shifted upwards and the fluid cerebrospinal (CSF) spaces at the top of the brain were found to be narrowed. Interestingly enough, these significant changes were only found in the brains of the astronauts.
"Said Dr. Michael Antonucci, a neuroradiologist at the Medical University of Toronto," said Dr. Michael Antonucci, a neuroradiologist at the Medical University of Toronto. South Carolina (MUSC).
The study, which appears in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that the blood volume of the brain will remain detectable for at least half a year after the end of their last mission.
The study was conducted on the International Space Station (ISS).
The researchers used magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) to image the brains of the subjects both before and after the conclusion of their long-term missions.
In addition, seven members of the cohort were re-examined seven months after their return from space.
"Said Peter zu Eulenburg, a professor at LMU," This is actually the first study in which it has been possible to objectively quantify changes in brain structures following a space mission.
The MRT scans performed in the days after the return to Earth revealed that the volume of the gray matter (the part of the cerebral cortex that mainly consists of the cell bodies of the neurons) was reduced compared to the baseline measurement before launch.
In the follow-up scans done 7 months later, this effect was still reversed, but still still detectable.
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In contrast, the volume of the fluid cerebrospinal fluid, which fills the inner and outer cavities of the brain, increased within the cortex during long-term exposure to microgravity.
Moreover, this process was also observable in the exterior spaces of the Earth, while the cerebrospinal fluid spaces were returned to normal.
The white matter tissue volume appeared to be unchanged upon investigation immediately after landing.
However, the subsequent examination 6 months later
In this case, the researchers postulate that the effect of an influx of cerebrospinal fluid.
Upon return to Earth, this process is then gradually reversed, which then results in a relative reduction of white matter volume.
"Taken together, our results point to prolonged changes in the pattern of cerebrospinal fluid circulation over a period of at least seven months following the return to Earth," said Zu Eulenburg.
"However, whether or not the extensive alterations shown in the gray and the white matter remains unclear at present," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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