Cognition in zero gravity: Effects of non-terrestrial gravity on human behaviour

Area of Science:

• Space Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Understanding spaceflight's physiological effects is crucial for deep space exploration.
• While physical impacts of non-terrestrial gravity are known, its effects on human behavior and cognition are less understood.
• Astronauts report altered sensorimotor, cognitive, and socio-affective processing during space missions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of non-terrestrial gravity on sensorimotor functioning, cognition, and socio-affective processing over the last decade.
• To propose a comprehensive neurocognitive model explaining these behavioral changes.
• To provide a framework for mitigating risks associated with human spaceflight.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of research from the past 10 years.
• Analysis of effects across sensorimotor, cognitive, and socio-affective domains.
• Development and preliminary validation of a neurocognitive model.

Main Results:

• Non-terrestrial gravity significantly impacts sensorimotor control, including orientation and balance.
• Cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and decision-making are affected by spaceflight.
• Socio-affective processing, including emotional regulation and social interaction, shows alterations in altered gravity environments.
• A novel neurocognitive model was proposed and preliminarily validated to explain these observed effects.

Conclusions:

• Non-terrestrial gravity profoundly influences human behavior across multiple domains.
• The proposed neurocognitive model offers a framework for understanding and predicting these changes.
• This research is vital for ensuring astronaut safety and mission success in future space exploration endeavors.