How spaceflight affects the human brain

Image credit: nasa via Unsplash

Living in space may physically change the human brain. Researchers have found that after extended periods in microgravity, astronauts’ brains can shift position and change shape as fluids redistribute inside the skull. Some of these changes may persist even after astronauts return to Earth, raising important questions about how long-duration spaceflight could affect neurological health. Understanding these effects will be increasingly important as NASA prepares for longer missions, including sustained stays on the Moon and eventual crewed journeys to Mars.

Source

T. Wang,R.J. Odor,Y.E.D. Dios,E. Mulder,J.J. Bloomberg,S.J. Wood, & R.D. Seidler, Brain displacement and nonlinear deformation following human spaceflight, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 123 (3) e2505682122, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2505682122 (2026).

Additional Reading

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/astronauts-brains-change-shape-position-space-rcna253209

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260707-what-happens-to-your-brain-in-space

https://time.com/7200276/what-being-in-space-does-to-the-brain/