TY - JOUR

T1 - Eye-brain axis in microgravity and its implications for Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome

AU - Stern, Claudia

AU - Yücel, Yeni H.

AU - zu Eulenburg, Peter

AU - Pavy-Le Traon, Anne

AU - Petersen, Lonnie Grove

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Long-duration human spaceflight can lead to changes in both the eye and the brain, which have been referred to as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). These changes may manifest as a constellation of symptoms, which can include optic disc edema, optic nerve sheath distension, choroidal folds, globe flattening, hyperopic shift, and cotton wool spots. Although the underpinning mechanisms for SANS are not yet known, contributors may include intracranial interstitial fluid accumulation following microgravity induced headward fluid shift. Development and validation of SANS countermeasures contribute to our understanding of etiology and accelerate new technology including exercise modalities, Lower Body Negative Pressure suits, venous thigh cuffs, and Impedance Threshold Devices. However, significant knowledge gaps remain including biomarkers, a full set of countermeasures and/or treatment regimes, and finally reliable ground based analogs to accelerate the research. This review from the European Space Agency SANS expert group summarizes past research and current knowledge on SANS, potential countermeasures, and key knowledge gaps, to further our understanding, prevention, and treatment of SANS both during human spaceflight and future extraterrestrial surface exploration.

AB - Long-duration human spaceflight can lead to changes in both the eye and the brain, which have been referred to as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). These changes may manifest as a constellation of symptoms, which can include optic disc edema, optic nerve sheath distension, choroidal folds, globe flattening, hyperopic shift, and cotton wool spots. Although the underpinning mechanisms for SANS are not yet known, contributors may include intracranial interstitial fluid accumulation following microgravity induced headward fluid shift. Development and validation of SANS countermeasures contribute to our understanding of etiology and accelerate new technology including exercise modalities, Lower Body Negative Pressure suits, venous thigh cuffs, and Impedance Threshold Devices. However, significant knowledge gaps remain including biomarkers, a full set of countermeasures and/or treatment regimes, and finally reliable ground based analogs to accelerate the research. This review from the European Space Agency SANS expert group summarizes past research and current knowledge on SANS, potential countermeasures, and key knowledge gaps, to further our understanding, prevention, and treatment of SANS both during human spaceflight and future extraterrestrial surface exploration.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85165412795&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s41526-023-00300-4

DO - 10.1038/s41526-023-00300-4

M3 - Review

C2 - 37474624

AN - SCOPUS:85165412795

VL - 9

SP - 1

EP - 8

JO - npj Microgravity

JF - npj Microgravity

SN - 2373-8065

IS - 1

M1 - 56

ER -