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Changes in gravity influence rat postnatal motor system development: from simulation to space flight.

K Walton1, C Heffernan, D Sulica

  • 1Dept. of Physiology & Biophysics, NYU Medical Center 10016, USA.

Gravitational and Space Biology Bulletin : Publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology
|June 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
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Gravity significantly impacts postnatal nervous system development in rats. Early life exposure to weightlessness, especially during sensitive periods, impairs motor skills like walking and righting reflexes.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Gravitational Biology

Background:

  • The environment plays a crucial role in postnatal nervous system development.
  • Understanding the effects of altered gravity on motor system maturation is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of simulated and actual weightlessness on rat motor development.
  • To identify sensitive and critical periods for motor skill acquisition under altered gravity conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the tail suspension model to simulate weightlessness.
  • Conducted kinematic analysis of swimming, walking, and righting reflexes in rats.
  • Studied rats exposed to microgravity during a 9-day space mission (STS-72) at different ages.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline NeuroscienceNon-NASA Center

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Main Results:

  • Weightlessness exposure led to slower motor performance, characterized by hindlimb extension.
  • Younger animals and hindlimbs were more affected by microgravity.
  • Readaptation to normal gravity was slower in rats exposed during critical developmental periods.

Conclusions:

  • Gravity is a significant factor in postnatal nervous system development.
  • The effects of gravity perturbation depend on animal age, exposure duration, and motor function.
  • Sensitive periods for motor development are identifiable through altered gravity studies.