Work

A systematic review of the cerebrovascular adaptations following exposure to spaceflight or ground-based analogs: lessons from human and animal studies

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Human space exploration is rapidly advancing, with long-term expeditions becoming more common. Long-term space missions introduce prolonged exposure to microgravity and ionizing radiation, which elicit stress responses throughout many organ systems. As the cerebrovascular system is responsible for regulating blood flow to the brain, it is imperative to understand the effects of the space environment on the cerebrovascular system. Cerebrovascular alterations are also linked to neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, glaucoma, and stroke. This systematic review evaluates the current literature to demonstrate that spaceflight conditions (actual or ground-based analogs) can lead to changes in the cerebrovascular system at the network, cellular, and molecular levels. These findings demonstrate differences and similarities between cerebrovascular alterations due to the space environment and neurological conditions, highlighting that the mechanisms behind the reversibility and readaptation to Earth following spaceflight could inform treatments of neurological disease.

Source: npj Microgravity

DOI: 10.1038/s41526-025-00540-6

Authors: L. Daniel Estrella, Timothy M. Sveeggen, Gabriela de la Guardia, Julio Cacho, Kelly L. Stauch, Pooneh Bagher

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Language: English

Topic: Spaceflight effects on biology

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,690