Research progress on the mechanisms and effects of microgravity on cognitive function of brain
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-6239.2019.01.014
- VernacularTitle:微重力环境对脑认知功能的影响及机制研究进展
- Author:
Jiajia YANG
1
;
Rong LIANG
;
Baikun WAN
;
Ling WANG
;
Dong MING
Author Information
1. 天津大学精密仪器与光电子工程学院 300072
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Weightlessness;
Weightlessness simulation;
Cognition;
Memory disorders;
Review
- From:
Chinese Journal of Aerospace Medicine
2019;30(1):64-71
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To summarize the research progress on cognitive function of brain and the potential mechanism in space flight and in ground simulated microgravity by reviewing the research results in past 10 years (especially in past 5 years),to foresee the future research directions,and to provides a reference for the in-depth study of the cognitive function of astronauts. Literature resource and selection Domestic and international papers and monographs in this field and related fields. Literature quotation Sixty-four published research papers and reviews were cited. Literature synthesis Long-term microgravity can induce brain damage or dysfunction,such as fluid cephalad transferred,muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, decline of immunity and cognitive decline.Whether astronauts execute space missions accurately and efficiently is closely related to their cognitive or learning and memory functions.From a microscopic point of view,this paper briefly summarized that microgravity can change the gray matter and the intensity and range of activation of the brain areas related to human cognition,but the effect is not obvious from the perspective of cognitive behavior. Moreover,weightlessness can result in the decrease of spatial and location learning and memory abilities of animals,and the differential expression of genes,proteins and neurotransmitters in the brain areas related to human cognition.It is further concluded that microgravity can cause changes in the morphology of different types of nerve cells from a microscopic point of view. Conclusions Microgravity can cause the decrease in the volume of gray matter in the human brain and cognate regions,and cognitive behavior changes,but the adaptive changes.The animal model studies have showed that the simulated microgravity would cause the varying degree changes on cognitive behavior and the relevant gene proteins,the changes on the size and shape of nerve cells and increases oxidative stress.
