What happens to the brain in weightlessness? - A first approach by EEG tomography

Stefan Schneider; Vera Brummer; H Carnahan; A Dubrowski; Christopher D Askew; H K Struder

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.06.010

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What happens to the brain in weightlessness? - A first approach by EEG tomography

Journal article

Peer reviewed

What happens to the brain in weightlessness? - A first approach by EEG tomography

Stefan Schneider, Vera Brummer, H Carnahan, A Dubrowski, Christopher D Askew and H K Struder

NeuroImage, Vol.42(4), pp.1316-1323

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.06.010

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Abstract

EEG

tilt

zero gravity

weightlessness

brain hemodynamics

Basic changes in environmental conditions are fundamental to understanding brain cortical mechanisms. Several studies have reported impairment of central nervous processes during weightlessness. There is ongoing debate as to whether these impairments are attributable to primary physiological effects or secondary psychological effects of the weightlessness environment. This study evaluates the physiological effects of changed gravity conditions on brain cortical activity. In a first experiment, EEG activity of seven participants was recorded at normal, increased and zero gravity during a parabolic flight. Additionally an EEG under normal gravity conditions preflight was recorded. In a second experiment, 24 participants were exposed to a supine, seated and 9° head-down tilt position while EEG was recorded. Data was analysed using low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Beta-2 EEG activity (18-35Hz) was found to be increased in the right Superior Frontal Gyrus under normal gravity conditions inflight. By exposure to weightlessness a distinct inhibition of this activity within the same areas could be noticed. As the tilt experiment showed changes in the left Inferior Temporal Gyrus in supine and tilted positions we conclude that the observed changes under weightlessness are not explainable by hemodynamic changes but rather reflect emotional processes related to the experience of weightlessness. These findings suggest that weightlessness has a major impact on electro-cortical activity and may affect central nervous and adaptation processes.

Details

Title: What happens to the brain in weightlessness? - A first approach by EEG tomography
Authors: Stefan Schneider (Author) - German Sport University Cologne, Germany
Vera Brummer (Author) - German Sport University Cologne, Germany
H Carnahan (Author) - University of Toronto, Canada
A Dubrowski (Author) - University of Toronto, Canada
Christopher D Askew (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
H K Struder (Author) - German Sport University Cologne, Germany
Publication details: NeuroImage, Vol.42(4), pp.1316-1323
Publisher: Academic Press
Date published: 2008
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.06.010
ISSN: 1053-8119
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449712402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Neuroimaging; Neurosciences; Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

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