Trip to Mars could cause dementia in astronauts: Study – People in line

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Updated to the 11/10/2016 – 08:44

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WASHINGTON, 10 oct (Xinhua) — Astronauts traveling to Mars could run the risk of presenting in the long-term brain damage and even dementia, because of the exposure to cosmic rays, it was indicated today in a new study.

To explore the phenomenon called “brain space”, researchers from the University of California, Irvine, (UCI) were exposed to rodents to particles with high energy burden, titanium and oxygen are fully ionized, the Radiation Laboratory NASA Space Laboratory National Brookhaven New York.

These particles are very similar to those found in the galactic cosmic rays that bombardearán to the astronauts during space flight, prolonged, said the study published in the journal Scientific Reports that form part of the Programme of Human Research for NASA.

Six months after the exposure, the researchers still found significant levels of brain inflammation and damage to neurons, ” said Charles Limoli, professor of radiation oncology, Faculty of Medicine, UCI.

The images revealed that the neural network of the brain was damaged by the reduction of dendrites and spines of these neurons, which affect the transmission of signals between brain cells.

These deficiencies were parallel to poor performance on tasks of behavior designed to test memory and learning.

in Addition, the team Limoli was discovered that the radiation was affecting “the extinction of fear”, an active process in which the brain suppresses associations unpleasant and stressful pre, like when someone almost drowns, learns to enjoy new of the water.

“This is not a positive news for the astronauts involved in a mission to Mars two to three years,” said Limoli.

“The space environment poses hazards unique to the astronauts. Exposure to these particles can lead to a range of possible central nervous system complications that may occur during space travel or persist after him, as, for example, different decreases in performance, memory deficits, anxiety, depression, and decision making affected. Many of these adverse consequences for cognition can continue and progress throughout life.”

A partial solution in the spacecraft heading to Mars could include areas with a protective shield increased, as the sections used for rest and sleep, ” said Limoli.

But these energetic particles highly loaded of all modes through the ship, he said, so “there is in reality no way to escape them.”

The group of Limoli is also working on preventive treatments that include compounds that scavenge free radicals and protect the neurotransmission.

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