Responsible Center: NASA JSC
Grant Monitor: Stenger, Michael
Center Contact: 281-483-1311 michael.b.stenger@nasa.gov
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Solicitation / Funding Source: 2010 Crew Health NNJ10ZSA003N
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC17K0461
Project Type: FLIGHT,GROUND
Flight Program:
TechPort: No |
No. of Post Docs: 5
No. of PhD Candidates: 3
No. of Master's Candidates:
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
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No. of PhD Degrees:
No. of Master's Degrees: 1
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:
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Human Research Program Elements: |
(1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
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Human Research Program Risks: |
(1) HSIA:Risk of Adverse Outcome Due to Inadequate Human Systems Integration Architecture (IRP Rev L) (2) Sensorimotor:Risk of Altered Sensorimotor/Vestibular Function Impacting Critical Mission Tasks (Revised as of IRP Rev M)
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Human Research Program Gaps: |
(1) HSIA-201:We need to evaluate the demands of future exploration habitat/vehicle systems and mission scenarios (e.g. increased automation, multi-modal communication) on individuals and teams, and determine the risks these demands pose to crew health and performance (IRP Rev L) (2) HSIA-401:We need to determine how HSI can be applied in the vehicle/habitat and computer interface Design Phase to mitigate potential decrements in operationally-relevant performance (e.g. problem-solving, execution procedures), during increasingly earth-independent, future exploration missions (including in-mission and at landing) (IRP Rev L) (3) SM-104:Evaluate how weightlessness-induced changes in sensorimotor/vestibular function relate to and/or interact with changes in other brain functions (sleep, cognition, attention) (IRP Rev M)
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Flight Assignment/Project Notes: |
NOTE: End date changed to 9/30/2022 per NSSC information (Ed., 2/5/22)
NOTE: End date changed to 9/30/2021 per D. Risin/HRP and NSSC information (Ed., 8/27/20)
NOTE: Changed end date to 9/30/2020 per NSSC information (Ed., 10/9/19) |
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Task Description: |
NOTE: Continuation of "Spaceflight Effects on Neurocognitive Performance: Extent, Longevity, and Neural Bases," grant NNX11AR02G, due to Principal Investigator Seidler's move to University of Florida from University of Michigan.
NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNJ10ZSA003N requested proposals to assess changes in elemental neurocognitive functions such as perception, motor control, memory, attention, language, executive function, and emotional processing following long duration spaceflight using both behavioral assessments and monitoring technologies such as fMRI. In response to this call, we propose to perform structural and functional MR brain imaging to identify the relationship between changes in crewmember neurocognitive function and neural structural alterations following a six month International Space Station mission. Our central hypothesis is that measures of brain structure, function, and network integrity will change from pre to post flight in crewmembers (Aim 1). Moreover, we predict that these changes will correlate with indices of cognitive, sensory, and motor function in a neuroanatomically selective fashion (Aim 2). Our interdisciplinary approach utilizes cutting edge neuroimaging techniques and a broad ranging battery of sensory, motor, and cognitive assessments that will be conducted pre flight, during flight, and post flight to investigate neuroplastic and maladaptive brain changes in crewmembers following long duration spaceflight. Success in this endeavor would 1) result in identification of the underlying neural mechanisms and operational risks of spaceflight-induced changes in behavior, and 2) identify whether a return to normative behavioral function following re-adaptation to Earth’s gravitational environment is associated with a restitution of brain structure and function or instead is supported by substitution with compensatory brain processes. |
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Research Impact/Earth Benefits: |
The results of this project will have relevance not only to understanding the effects of spaceflight on the human brain and behavior, but also for delineating the capacity of the brain to remodel in response to adaptive stimuli. As such, the results should prove informative for understanding the neural mechanisms associated with adaptive behavioral change and the rehabilitation of these changes during recovery periods. |