Deep Space Travel May Accelerate Alzheimer’s In Astronauts

According to new study, radiations in deep space can accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease in astronauts, according to Science Daily.

The research shows that the brain can be harmed by the radiations while astronauts travel into deep space such as Mars or other asteroids, which may develop the Alzheimer's disease.

"Galactic cosmic radiation poses a significant threat to future astronauts," said M. Kerry O'Banion, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy and the senior author of the study, according to Science Daily. "The possibility that radiation exposure in space may give rise to health problems such as cancer has long been recognized. However, this study shows for the first time that exposure to radiation levels equivalent to a mission to Mars could produce cognitive problems and speed up changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease."

The earth is surrounded by its magnetic field which protects the planet and its survivors from these harmful radiations. Hence, when astronauts leave the lower orbit and travel into the space, they are exposed to several radioactive particles that are lethal. Although astronauts are protected from various other radiations linked to solar flares, at the same time certain cosmic radiations cannot be fully stopped, reports Science Daily. Due to this NASA is planning manned missions into space asteroid in late 2021 and to Mars in 2035 to ensure all the safety measures.

Researchers studied a particular form of radiation found in space called high-mass, high-charged (HZE) particles, which are pushed through space at very high speeds due to the force of exploding stars. Unlikely hydrogen protons, generated by solar flares, the mass of HZE particles with its speed, can penetrate through solid objects such as shielding of a spacecraft.

"Because iron particles pack a bigger wallop it is extremely difficult from an engineering perspective to effectively shield against them," said O'Banion. "One would have to essentially wrap a spacecraft in a six-foot block of lead or concrete."

The scientists conducted a research, which was mostly focused on the impact of iron HZE particles if it may accelerate to the development of Alzheimer's disease at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. Mice were exposed to various doses of radiation and even to what the astronauts experience in deep space.

The mice were then tested with series of experiments to study its mental function. Mice dosed with radiation were unlikely to complete any task such as identifying places connected with appalling electric shocks to their feet. The brain scans also showed some inflamed blood vessels and contained high levels of proteins that collects one of the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, according to Science Daily.

"These findings clearly suggest that exposure to radiation in space has the potential to accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease," O'Banion said. "This is yet another factor that NASA, which is clearly concerned about the health risks to its astronauts, will need to take into account as it plans future missions."

The study is published online in the journal PLOS ONE.

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