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from the this-is-your-brain-on-cosmic-rays... dept.
As NASA prepares for the first manned spaceflight to Mars, questions have surfaced concerning the potential for increased risks associated with exposure to the spectrum of highly energetic nuclei that comprise galactic cosmic rays. Animal models have revealed an unexpected sensitivity of mature neurons in the brain to charged particles found in space. Astronaut autonomy during long-term space travel is particularly critical as is the need to properly manage planned and unanticipated events, activities that could be compromised by accumulating particle traversals through the brain.
Using mice subjected to space-relevant fluences of charged particles, we show significant cortical- and hippocampal-based performance decrements 6 weeks after acute exposure. Animals manifesting cognitive decrements exhibited marked and persistent radiation-induced reductions in dendritic complexity and spine density along medial prefrontal cortical neurons known to mediate neurotransmission specifically interrogated by our behavioral tasks.
This was stated a little more readably at ScienceDaily:
What happens to an astronaut's brain during a mission to Mars? Nothing good. It's besieged by destructive particles that can forever impair cognition, according to a radiation oncology study. Exposure to highly energetic charged particles -- much like those found in the galactic cosmic rays that bombard astronauts during extended spaceflights -- cause significant damage to the central nervous system, resulting in cognitive impairments.
[Related]: Space Radiation On the Long Trip To Mars Could Make Astronauts Dumber
(Score: 2) by Alphatool on Monday May 04 2015, @12:19PM
This is a really interesting study, but it needs a significant amount more work before we can apply this to space travel. The experiment exposed mice to a very high radiation field (0.5 to 1.0 Gy per minute) then tested the mice 6 weeks later. This high dose rate followed by rest does not accurately represent the exposure pattern of space travel, in particular it doesn't allow for threshold effects in brain repair mechanisms. Some of the results of the experiment indicate that these mechanisms may be significant. In particular the fact that no decreased performance was observed after a 5 cGy dose of O18 but it was observed after a 30 cGy dose suggests that the brain is much better at handling low doses than this experiment suggests at first sight. There really needs to be more investigation of chronic exposure rather than a single exposure event, although this does make the experiment much more difficult to execute.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 04 2015, @01:10PM
Just put some mice on a trip to Mars. Then we will see what the actual exposure does to their brain. As well as any issues with life support that we might want to solve before sending humans.
Remember, the first living being in space wasn't a human either.
(Score: 2) by rts008 on Monday May 04 2015, @09:25PM
That comment will be the doom of us all, when 147 years from now, Earth is invaded and conquered by our future furry mutant rodent overlords!
And AC, the history books will rightly attribute the blame to you.
It might be a good idea to change your name, just in case.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 04 2015, @10:54PM
To study deep-space mice at the cellular level (as was done with the study in the story) would require bringing them back in good condition.
Things that occurred to me:
- Lifetime of a mouse vs round-trip duration
- Remotely preserving corpses of subjects without further damaging those
.
the first living being in space
Mongrel canine Laika [wikipedia.org]
Born: c.1954
Died: November 3, 1957 (before the 4th orbit of Earth by Sputnik 2).
Cause of death: Overheating due to inadequate|failed temperature control system.
Remains: Disintegrated during re-entry April 14, 1958
-- gewg_