The Impact of Long Space Missions on Astronaut Brains.
TL;DR
Long space missions and frequent voyages to space may cause ventricles in the brain to enlarge by up to 25%, according to a new study. The absence of a gravitational pull leads the brain to shift upward in the skull and causes the ventricles to expand. The implications of this ventricle expansion on performance and long-term health remain unclear. The rate of ventricle enlargement tapers off after six months in space, which may be good news for future longer duration missions, such as to Mars.
- Long space missions take a toll on astronaut brains, study finds Space.com
- Astronauts’ brains take a hit during long spaceflights CNN
- Spaceflight Can Induce Long-Lasting Structural Changes in The Human Brain ScienceAlert
- Frequent lengthy space travel takes a toll on astronauts' brains, study shows Phys.org
- Scientists document how space travel messes with the human brain Reuters
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