Abstract: The report is devoted to the results of the BRAIN-DTI experiment (joint work of IBMP, ESA and Antwerpen University), aimed at studying structural and functional changes in the human brain that occur during long-term space flights. To date, more than 20 astronauts have participated in the experiment, which consists of conducting an MRI scan before the start of a long-term space flight, on the 7th-9th day, as well as 6 months after its completion. An MRI scan was performed using a 3T tomograph (GE) using a specially developed protocol. The program included both anatomical scans and a functional probe, in which 20 seconds of mechanical stimulation of the foot support zones alternated with 20 seconds of rest. Mechanical stimulation of foot support zones in the regimen of natural locomotion (75 steps/min) was performed using the KORVIT device (VIT company, Russia). The pressure on the heel and metatarsal zones of the feet was 40 kPa. The results of the study revealed in the crew members a number of structural transformations in the brain associated with the redistribution of fluid in the cranial direction, as well as changes in the connectivity of areas of interest associated with the processes of sensory integration and motor control. The next objective of the experiment is to check whether the identified changes in functional connectivity are related to changes in sensorimotor functions after spaceflight. Preliminary analysis revealed the relationships between connectivity changes and postural stability alteration. The study is supported by the Program of fundamental studies if IBMP RAS (FMFR- 2024-0033).

Cite: Tomilovskaya E. , Rukavishnikov I. , Nosikova I. , Pechenkova E. , Makovskaya L. , Mershina E. , Ryabova A. , Kurbanova O. , Gainutdinova E. , Naumov I. , Shishkin N. , Petrovichev V. , Jillings S. , Mortaheb S. , Deblieck D. , Schoenmaekers C. , Wuyts F.
HUMAN BRAIN CHANGES AND THEIR CONNECTION WITH SENSORY-MOTOR ALTERATIONS AFTER LONG TERM SPACE FLIGHTS
44 Annual the International Society of Gravitational Physiology Meeting (ISGP), Sapporo, 2025 18-23 May 2025