To address this, researchers from NASA's Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory studied cognitive performance in 25 astronauts during six-month stays aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This analysis represents the most comprehensive dataset of cognitive performance in professional astronauts to date.
"We show that there is no evidence of any significant cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative decline in astronauts spending six months on the ISS," said Dr. Sheena Dev, lead researcher at NASA's Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory and first author of a study published in 'Frontiers in Physiology'. "Living and working in space was not associated with widespread cognitive impairment that would be suggestive of significant brain damage."
Changes in Task Speed, Not Accuracy
The study utilized a battery of 10 subtests to evaluate various cognitive domains, measuring speed and accuracy at five intervals: before the mission, early and late in-flight, and at 10 and 30 days post-mission.
While astronauts demonstrated slower responses in processing speed, working memory, and attention during the mission, accuracy remained unaffected. The timing of these changes varied, with some resolving before mission completion and others persisting until astronauts returned to Earth. "Slowed performance on attention, for example, was only observed early during the mission, while slowed performance on processing speed did not return to baseline levels until after the mission ended and crew were back on Earth," explained Dev.
Importantly, no evidence of damage to the central nervous system was observed during these six-month missions, and cognitive performance overall remained stable.
Insights for Future Space Exploration
The findings highlight that certain cognitive domains - such as processing speed and attention - are more susceptible to stress both on Earth and in space. "Even on Earth, processing speed, working memory, and attention are cognitive domains that can show temporary changes when an individual is under stress. Other domains, such as memory, are less vulnerable to stressors," said Dev.
Astronauts face additional challenges in space, including unique stressors related to microgravity and isolation. According to the study, these stressors primarily impact the same cognitive domains as stressors encountered on Earth.
The researchers believe these insights will be crucial for planning missions to more extreme environments, such as lunar bases or Mars expeditions. Data from ISS missions in low Earth orbit can provide a valuable baseline for identifying cognitive changes linked to increased radiation exposure and communication delays. However, the study did not explore why these changes occur or whether operational performance was compromised. "It could be that even in areas with observed declines, astronauts were still able to compensate and effectively complete their tasks," added Dev.
This research serves as a foundation for anticipating and mitigating cognitive challenges as humanity ventures further into space.
Research Report:Cognitive Performance in ISS Astronauts on 6-month Low Earth Orbit Missions
Related Links
Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Laboratory
Space Medicine Technology and Systems
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