According to a recent study, it appears that extended space missions and frequent journeys into space could have detrimental effects on the brains of astronauts.

Previous investigations have already revealed that space travel has the potential to induce significant alterations in the human brain, Space reported.

Understanding these changes and their potential consequences is crucial for the success of future missions, particularly those involving multi-year expeditions to Mars.

Among the most notable changes observed in the brain as a result of spaceflight is the enlargement of ventricles, which are cavities within the brain.

This enlargement can reach up to 25% in size. Ventricles contain cerebrospinal fluid, which serves the purpose of safeguarding, nourishing, and eliminating waste from the brain.

In the absence of gravitational force, the brain tends to shift upwards within the skull, leading to the expansion of the ventricles.

Written by staff