In microgravity, astronauts’ brains adapt by expanding their ventricles and collecting more fluid, which is a way to cope with the effects of low gravity. However, this expansion can lead to potential swelling and other challenges during space missions. Researchers reported the news on June 8th, 2023, explaining that it would take about three years for the chambers to shrink back to normal.
These chambers are called ventricles. There are four ventricles in total, with the fourth being the smallest. Six to twelve months in space causes larger ventricles, meaning that it will take longer for the ventricles to recover.
When astronauts travel to space for six to twelve months, three of their four ventricles grow large. The fourth is too small. Meaning that changes may happen in the fourth ventricle, but it might be too small to see. When astronauts first come to the International Space Station, their faces will even look puffy due to low gravity when fluids build up in their heads and faces. Researchers and scientists used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the brains of 30 astronauts and examined them. They took ones from astronauts before they began their mission, and one after their mission. Turns out, the ventricles before they began their mission, were the smallest.
When out in space for too long, ventricles first expand, but the negative effect is that it also starts to swell. “I’m glad that the [study] authors took the first step and are looking at this question,” says Donna Roberts. NASA’s goal is to send people to Mars. But would be a two-year round trip. Although going to Mars is a hard goal, NASA must make sure that humans’ brains don’t swell due to microgravity. “Everybody talks about the rocket technology to get to Mars,” Roberts says. But “the humans — that’s the real challenge.”
Although astronauts must face hard challenges, like brain swelling, they still achieve their goals and never give up their career as an astronaut.
These chambers are called ventricles. There are four ventricles in total, with the fourth being the smallest. Six to twelve months in space causes larger ventricles, meaning that it will take longer for the ventricles to recover.
When astronauts travel to space for six to twelve months, three of their four ventricles grow large. The fourth is too small. Meaning that changes may happen in the fourth ventricle, but it might be too small to see. When astronauts first come to the International Space Station, their faces will even look puffy due to low gravity when fluids build up in their heads and faces. Researchers and scientists used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the brains of 30 astronauts and examined them. They took ones from astronauts before they began their mission, and one after their mission. Turns out, the ventricles before they began their mission, were the smallest.
When out in space for too long, ventricles first expand, but the negative effect is that it also starts to swell. “I’m glad that the [study] authors took the first step and are looking at this question,” says Donna Roberts. NASA’s goal is to send people to Mars. But would be a two-year round trip. Although going to Mars is a hard goal, NASA must make sure that humans’ brains don’t swell due to microgravity. “Everybody talks about the rocket technology to get to Mars,” Roberts says. But “the humans — that’s the real challenge.”
Although astronauts must face hard challenges, like brain swelling, they still achieve their goals and never give up their career as an astronaut.
