Challenges and Opportunities for Neuroscience in the Context of Space Flight and the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Pilots, astronauts, and space scientists face numerous obstacles in the space environment since they are continually exposed to unusual circumstances including microgravity, radiation, hypoxia, the lack of the day and night cycle, etc. Numerous physiological systems in humans are susceptible to being impacted by these stressful stimuli, which could lead to the biological and physical adaptations necessary to restore the homeostatic equilibrium. Concerns about the risks of the central nervous system (CNS) effects of spaceflight are particularly noteworthy, as multiple lines of research have shown that long-duration missions, in particular, can have a significant impact on neuroplasticity, cognitive functions, neurovestibular system, short-term memory, cephalic fluid shift, reduction in motor function, and psychological disturbances. In addition to these potential negative impacts, there may be advantages to applying space-related conditions to Earth-based life sciences, such as cancer research. Here, we examined the impact of actual and simulated microgravity on CNS functions in humans and cellular models, while also exploring several methods for simulating or experiencing microgravity on Earth. An emerging new area of space-based research shows that cancer cells, and brain cancer cells in particular, are negatively impacted by microgravity in terms of changes to cell shape, proliferation, invasion, migration, and death.