Projects / Programmes
Vpliv hiperkapnične vadbe na intrakranialni tlak in oko
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.06.00 |
Medical sciences |
Cardiovascular system |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B620 |
Biomedical sciences |
Ophtalmology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.02 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Clinical medicine |
Space life sciences, Microgravity ocular syndrome, vision impairment, intracranial pressure
Researchers (7)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
A major hindrance to future long-term missions on the International Space Station, and to the exploration of the Moon and Mars are the unexplained ophthalmic changes observed in a subset of astronauts. A series of investigations are proposed to assess the effect of 6° head down tilt (establishing the cephalad displacement noted in astronauts in microgravity)during rest and exercise (simulating the exercise performed by astronauts to mitigate the sarcopenia induced by unloading of the weightbearing limbs) in a normocapnic and hypercapnic (simulating the conditions on the International Space Station)conditions.
Previous studies have demonstrated that changing body position to a head-down orientation elevates intracranial pressure, and that most likely autoregulatory vascular mechanisms return intracranial pressure towards normal levels. The effect of a hypercapnic environment, as exists on the ISS, on these mechanisms is unknown. Furthermore, regular resistive and aerobic exercise is performed by astronauts on the ISS as a countermeasure to prevent cardiovascular deconditioning due to relative inactivity, and musculoskeletal atrophy as a consequence of the unloading of the weight bearing limbs in microgravity. Under the hypercapnic microgravity conditions within the ISS, exercise may create large transient elevations in intracranial pressure, which may have cumulative long lasting effects. The present study will simulate the cephalad displacement of body fluids experienced by astronauts in microgravity with the 6° head-down tilt experimental model. While maintaining this body position, subjects will be conduct exercise breathing either a normocapnic or hypocapnic mormoxic gas mixture, thus simulating the environment within space habitats.
The results of the proposed study will elucidate the role of hypercapnic exercise on the aetiology of the space ocular syndrome. This will contribute to the development of appropriate countermeasures to prevent this syndrome during long duration missions. The results will also have important terrestrial applications.Ocular health provides insight into structural changes that can occur in the eyes and nervous system, which could be relevant for patients suffering from a wide range of ocular diseases, such as glaucoma and different diseases due to vascular impairment of choroid and retina. It also provides data that could be used to help patients suffering from brain diseases, such as hydrocephalus and high blood pressure in the brain.
Significance for science
Scientific novelty. Previous studies have demonstrated that changing body position to a head-down orientation elevates intracranial pressure, and that most likely autoregulatory vascular mechanisms return intracranial pressure towards normal levels. The effect of a hypercapnic environment, as exists on the ISS, on these mechanisms is unknown. Furthermore, regular resistive and aerobic exercise is performed by astronauts on the ISS as a countermeasure to prevent cardiovascular deconditioning due to relative inactivity, and musculoskeletal atrophy as a consequence of the unloading of the weight bearing limbs in microgravity. Under the hypercapnic microgravity conditions within the ISS, exercise may create large transient elevations in intracranial pressure, which may have cumulative long lasting effects. The present study will simulate the cephalad displacement of body fluids experienced by astronauts in microgravity with the 6° head-down tilt experimental model. While maintaining this body position, subjects will be conduct exercise breathing either a normocapnic or hypocapnic mormoxic gas mixture, thus simulating the environment within space habitats.
Applied value. The results of the proposed study will elucidate the role of hypercapnic exercise on the aetiology of the space ocular syndrome. This will contribute to the development of appropriate countermeasures to prevent this syndrome during long duration space missions. The results will also have important terrestrial applications.Ocular health provides insight into structural changes that can occur in the eyes and nervous system, which could be relevant for patients suffering from a wide range of ocular diseases, such as glaucoma and different diseases due to vascular impairment of choroid and retina. It also provides data that could be used to help patients suffering from brain diseases, such as hydrocephalus and high blood pressure in the brain.
Significance for the country
Scientific novelty. Previous studies have demonstrated that changing body position to a head-down orientation elevates intracranial pressure, and that most likely autoregulatory vascular mechanisms return intracranial pressure towards normal levels. The effect of a hypercapnic environment, as exists on the ISS, on these mechanisms is unknown. Furthermore, regular resistive and aerobic exercise is performed by astronauts on the ISS as a countermeasure to prevent cardiovascular deconditioning due to relative inactivity, and musculoskeletal atrophy as a consequence of the unloading of the weight bearing limbs in microgravity. Under the hypercapnic microgravity conditions within the ISS, exercise may create large transient elevations in intracranial pressure, which may have cumulative long lasting effects. The present study will simulate the cephalad displacement of body fluids experienced by astronauts in microgravity with the 6° head-down tilt experimental model. While maintaining this body position, subjects will be conduct exercise breathing either a normocapnic or hypocapnic mormoxic gas mixture, thus simulating the environment within space habitats.
Applied value. The results of the proposed study will elucidate the role of hypercapnic exercise on the aetiology of the space ocular syndrome. This will contribute to the development of appropriate countermeasures to prevent this syndrome during long duration space missions. The results will also have important terrestrial applications.Ocular health provides insight into structural changes that can occur in the eyes and nervous system, which could be relevant for patients suffering from a wide range of ocular diseases, such as glaucoma and different diseases due to vascular impairment of choroid and retina. It also provides data that could be used to help patients suffering from brain diseases, such as hydrocephalus and high blood pressure in the brain.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
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