A recent study has revealed that the brains of cosmonauts get rewired after long-term space missions. According to the study published in ‘Frontiers in Neural Circuits’ magazine in February 2022, the shape and function of different parts of cosmonauts’ brains change during their long stay in space. The brain does not return to its former state long after their return to the Earth. Hence, they suffer from various types of neurological diseases. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian space research organisation, Roscosmos, carried out the study.

As per previous studies, astronauts usually face various muscle and bone-related problems after returning to the Earth. Longer stay in space caused decay in muscles and bones of cosmonauts at a rapid rate in the past. It was not possible to get them regain their fitness through medical treatment. The recent research shows that long-term space missions have a negative impact on their brains, too.

The researchers have found that the size and function of white matter in astronauts’ brains changed more than other parts during long spaceflights. The white matter acts as a communication pathway with different parts of the human brain and also with grey matter.

In an article published on biorxiv.org website on February 9, 2022, it is mentioned that spaceflight imposes multiple hazards on the human body, including increased radiation, microgravity exposure, and social isolation and confinement in a closed environment, among other factors. A number of studies have now reported that spaceflight alters human brain morphology. It induces an upward shift of the brain within the skull, resulting in cortical crowding and narrowing of the sulci at the top of the brain. This is reflected as widespread Grey Matter Volume (GMv) increases at the top of the brain and GMv decreases around the base of the brain.

Experts believe that the new study shall help different space agencies take necessary steps before sending astronauts to the Moon and Mars in future. According to experts, precautionary measures could help protect the brains of astronauts during manned missions to the Moon and Mars.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das