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Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions
Published on: May 23, 2011
The relationship between brain cortical activity and brain oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex during hypergravity
Craig Smith1, Nandu Goswami, Ryan Robinson
1Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, Great Britain.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Hypergravity exposure increases prefrontal cortex activity but decreases oxygenation. No direct link was found, suggesting psychological stress may influence brain activity, complicating centrifuge use for astronauts.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aerospace Medicine
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Artificial gravity is proposed for long-duration spaceflight to prevent physiological deconditioning.
- The effects of hypergravity on the central nervous system remain understudied.
- Understanding brain responses to hypergravity is crucial for astronaut health and mission safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between prefrontal cortex brain activity and oxygenation during hypergravity exposure.
- To determine if changes in brain activity correlate with changes in prefrontal cortex oxygenation.
- To assess the feasibility of using NIRS to measure brain activity under hypergravity.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy participants underwent hypergravity exposure on a short-arm human centrifuge.
- Prefrontal cortex activity was measured using electroencephalography (EEG) and localized with LORETA.
- Prefrontal cortex oxygenation was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
Main Results:
- Significant increase in prefrontal cortex activity (P < 0.05) during hypergravity.
- Significant decrease in prefrontal cortex oxygenation, with reduced oxyhemoglobin and increased deoxyhemoglobin (P < 0.05).
- No significant correlation found between prefrontal cortex activity and oxygenation levels.
Conclusions:
- Increased prefrontal cortex activity during hypergravity is likely not due to decreased oxygenation.
- NIRS may not be a reliable method for measuring brain activity under hypergravity conditions.
- Psychological stress may contribute to altered brain activity, potentially impacting centrifuge use as a spaceflight countermeasure.
