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Cognitive performance aboard the life and microgravity spacelab.
D R Eddy1, S G Schiflett, R E Schlegel
1NTI, Incorporated, Dayton, OH 45432, USA. deddy@ALCFT.brooks.af.mil
Acta Astronautica
|September 7, 2001
Summary
Astronaut cognitive performance during spaceflight can be affected by microgravity. Some astronauts experienced declines in specific cognitive tests, highlighting the need for further research into spaceflight stressors.
Area of Science:
- Space Medicine
- Human Physiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Long-duration space flights necessitate understanding the impact of microgravity and other stressors on astronaut cognitive performance.
- Developing effective countermeasures requires quantifying these impacts before missions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effects of microgravity and spaceflight stressors on astronaut cognitive performance.
- To identify potential cognitive decrements that may require countermeasures.
Main Methods:
- Four astronauts completed 38 sessions of a 20-minute cognitive performance test battery (six tests).
- Data collection included preflight, in-orbit, and postflight sessions.
- Mathematical models of learning were applied to preflight data to predict in-orbit performance.
Main Results:
- Two out of four astronauts exhibited statistically significant changes in cognitive performance during orbit.
- One astronaut showed degradation in two tests, while another was degraded in one test and improved in another.
- The remaining astronauts did not show significant cognitive performance changes.
Conclusions:
- Astronaut cognitive performance can be significantly impacted by spaceflight, though effects vary individually.
- Further research with ground-based control groups is needed to determine the specific factors causing cognitive changes.