Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
09:18
A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
Published on: July 28, 2023
2.8K
Navigating mental health in space: gut-brain axis and microbiome dynamics
Jiseon Yang1,2, Hee-Dae Kim3, Jennifer Barrila4,5
1Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. jyang41@asu.edu.
Experimental & Molecular Medicine
|June 30, 2025
Summary
Long-term space travel impacts astronaut mental health. Spaceflight alters the gut microbiome, mirroring changes seen in terrestrial psychological distress, highlighting the gut-brain axis connection.
Area of Science:
- Space Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
Background:
- Long-duration space missions pose significant mental health risks to astronauts.
- The gut-brain axis links the gut microbiome to neuropsychological health.
- Astronaut microbiomes show alterations during spaceflight.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parallels between astronaut microbiome changes and terrestrial psychological distress.
- To investigate how space stressors affect the gut microbiome, immune system, and mental health.
- To identify potential interventions for mitigating psychological risks in space.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of astronaut microbiome data with terrestrial studies.
- Examination of space-related stressors like radiation and circadian disruption.
- Review of immune regulation and barrier integrity in the gut-brain axis.
Main Results:
- Spaceflight-induced microbiome alterations show similarities to those in psychologically distressed individuals.
- Space stressors (radiation, circadian disruption) impact the microbiome.
- Gut microbiome, immune responses, and barrier integrity are key to mental health outcomes via the gut-brain axis.
Conclusions:
- Microbiome monitoring is crucial for mitigating psychological risks during space missions.
- Further research is needed to understand spaceflight's microbiome effects.
- Targeted interventions can safeguard astronaut mental health on long missions.
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