Study Shows Astronaut Brains Experience Long-Term Radiation Damage

In space missions, astronauts routinely face varying degrees of danger. Depending on which Hollywood science fiction thriller you watch, the dangers facing astronauts can come from aliens, or damaged computer networks or, the risk of collision with asteroids and other celestial bodies.

While these things may happen, on the other hand, the greatest possible danger to astronauts is something that cannot be seen: space radiation.

Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, almost completely protect life on the planet from cosmic radiation. When astronauts exit Earth's atmosphere, energetic particles known as galactic cosmic rays will attack their bodies.

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Galactic cosmic rays are remnants of supernovae that cause space radiation with protons and helium nuclei ejected by the Sun.

Our group studied how the emission of this radiation impacts human health. The most worrying thing about the radiation emission is the interference with the astronauts' brains. Based on the results of a recent study on mice, exposure to cosmic rays can damage brain function causing problems with learning, memorization and possibly psychology.

If the results of this study also apply to humans, it will have an impact on human ability to adapt and respond to chaotic and unexpected situations. These results could jeopardize astronaut safety and mission success.
Simulates space radiation on Earth

We and other radiation biologists, are particularly concerned with astronauts because, with current technology, there is no way to protect them from space radiation.

The particles of cosmic radiation traveling at nearly the speed of light collide with the spacecraft and produce fragmentation products, including neutrons. These fragmentation products still have the energy to enter the human body.

When neutrons interact with other nuclei in the body, they produce free radicals, reactive molecules that can damage cell membranes, DNA, and other fine structures in organs. In the brain, my colleagues and I believe, radiation can damage the microscopic structures in brain cells or neurons. This includes the dendrite region, a branch on the body's cells for collecting nerve impulses from other neurons, myelin, and synapses, all of which are essential for networking and communication.

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