A study by the University of Florida has found that frequent space travel and long missions can cause physiological changes in the brain. The study analysed brain scans of 30 astronauts before and after space travel, finding that the brain’s ventricles expand significantly in those who completed longer missions of at least six months. The ventricles are cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which provides protection, nourishment and waste removal to the brain. In the absence of gravity, the fluid shifts upward, pushing the brain higher within the skull and causing the ventricles to expand. The study suggests that less than three years may not provide enough time for the ventricles to fully recover. The results could impact future decision-making regarding crew travel and mission planning.
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