Optimizing transcranial magnetic stimulation for spaceflight applications

Optimizing transcranial magnetic stimulation for spaceflight applications Full article

Journal

npj Microgravity
ISSN: 2373-8065

Output data

Year: 2023, Number: 9, Article number : 26, Pages count : DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00249-4

Authors

Romanella S M ¹ , Mencarelli L ² , Seyedmadani K ³ , Jillings S ⁴ , Tomilovskaya E ⁵ , Rukavishnikov I ⁵ , Sprugnoli G ⁶ , Rossi S ⁶ , Wuyts F L ⁴ , Santarnecchi E ¹

Affiliations

1	Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
2	Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, IRCSS “Santa Lucia” Foundation, Rome, Italy
3	Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Houston, NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, Houston, TX, USA
4	Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
5	Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
6	Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Funding (1)

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia

63.1

As space agencies aim to reach and build installations on Mars, the crews will face longer exposure to extreme environments that may compromise their health and performance. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a painless non-invasive brain stimulation technique that could support space exploration in multiple ways. However, changes in brain morphology previously observed after long-term space missions may impact the efficacy of this intervention. We investigated how to optimize TMS for spaceflightassociated brain changes. Magnetic resonance imaging T1-weighted scans were collected from 15 Roscosmos cosmonauts and 14 non-flyer participants before, after 6 months on the International Space Station, and at a 7-month follow-up. Using biophysical modeling, we show that TMS generates different modeled responses in specific brain regions after spaceflight in cosmonauts compared to the control group. Differences are related to spaceflight-induced structural brain changes, such as those impacting cerebrospinal fluid volume and distribution. We suggest solutions to individualize TMS to enhance its efficacy and precision for potential applications in long-duration space missions.

Romanella S.M. , Mencarelli L. , Seyedmadani K. , Jillings S. , Tomilovskaya E. , Rukavishnikov I. , Sprugnoli G. , Rossi S. , Wuyts F.L. , Santarnecchi E.
Optimizing transcranial magnetic stimulation for spaceflight applications
npj Microgravity. 2023. N9. 26 . DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00249-4 WOS Scopus РИНЦ PMID PMCID OpenAlex

Submitted:	Mar 16, 2022
Accepted:	Jan 10, 2023
Published online:	Mar 28, 2023

Web of science:	WOS:000961932000002
Scopus:	2-s2.0-85151375371
Elibrary:	61162966
PMID:	36977683
PMCID:	PMC10050431
OpenAlex:	W4361214040

DB	Citing
OpenAlex	2
Scopus	2