Astronauts have many problems with their eyes and brain

Eye and brain problems are appearing on astronauts living more than a month in space and this is a step back for ambitious plans to make people live longer in the universe.

The study on the Radiology Journal analyzed 27 astronaut scans (MRI) that lived an average of 108 days in the universe, or on a space shuttle, or on the International Space Station ISS, which showed much new information.

Astronauts often perform missions in the universe for several weeks, while the missions on ISS can last up to six months. The mission to Mars is longer and can last up to a year and a half.

Among the astronauts living more than a month in space, scientists found they had many brain problems, like a syndrome called "an increase in idiopathic intracranial pressure" . This syndrome includes the phenomenon of excess brain fluid flowing through the optic nervous system, which has appeared in 33% of astronauts.

Astronauts have many problems with their eyes and brain

This fluid fills the back of the eyeball of 22% of astronauts. Late 15% of the optic nerve system is swollen and 11% have changes in the mucous glands - which are between the optic nerve system, contain some secret sex hormones and are responsible for coordinating glands armor - and some junctions between the mucous and the brain.

Similar effects, which can affect sight, have appeared in people who have never been in space, but their brains are subject to unexplainable high pressures, and are classified as syndrome. " Increased idiopathic intracranial pressure ".

Larry Kramer, professor of imaging and diagnostic interventions at the University of Texas Medical School, said the phenomenon could set limits for long-term travel in space.

While astronauts still know that osteoporosis, muscular atrophy and other abnormal neurological phenomena when flying into space, the eye data above is completely new and may cause NASA to pay more attention. to the health of astronauts.

"NASA has highlighted this issue in the list of human-related risks and initiated a program to study the mechanism that causes the phenomenon and its complications. NASA will continue to monitor it closely. The situation, " said William Tarver, a senior NASA official.

He said that the results of the study are still questionable and have not yet reached a final conclusion about the increase in idiopathic intracranial pressure.

He also said no astronaut was excluded and could not participate in new flights in space because of the research mentioned above.