Work

Optic nerve sheath diameter increases during 12° head-down tilt in healthy volunteers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is hypothesized to arise from a headward fluid shift that elevates intracranial pressure and distends the optic nerve sheath. Head-down tilt (HDT) is the ground-based analog of microgravity, and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by transorbital B-mode ultrasound is a candidate non-invasive marker of intracranial pressure. Before a definitive trial in which lower body negative pressure (LBNP) is added to 12° HDT as a putative countermeasure, we conducted a pilot study to (i) confirm that 12° HDT detectably elevates ONSD with a high-frequency linear probe, (ii) identify the time of peak response, (iii) optimize the measurement schedule, and (iv) provide effect-size estimates for powering.Methods: Eight healthy young participants (4 women, 4 men

Source: Repository of the University of Ljubljana (University of Ljubljana)

Authors: Bergauer, Andrej, Urevc, Janez, Steuber, Bianca, Schimd-Zalaudek, Karin, Pivec, Vid, Goswami, Nandu

Institutions: Medical University of Graz, University of Ljubljana

Language: English

Topic: Spaceflight effects on biology

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7172365590

FWCI:

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