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Li N, Phuyal S, Smits E, Reid FE, Tamgue EN, Arriaga PA, Britten RA. Exposure to low (10 cGy) doses of 4He ions leads to an apparent increase in risk taking propensity in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 474:115182. [PMID: 39117150 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The planned missions to the Moon and Mars will present more significant health challenges to astronauts compared to low earth orbit missions. During deep space missions, astronauts will be constantly exposed to Space radiation (SR). Multiple rodent studies suggest that < 25 cGy of SR impairs performance in executive functions, which play a key role in advanced cognitive processes, but also regulate response inhibition and impulse control. There is the possibility that SR exposure may exacerbate aberrant behaviors evoked by psychological stress related to exposure to isolated and confined (ICE) hostile environment or independently induce additional aberrant behaviors. This study has determined that female Wistar rats exposed to 10 cGy of 250 MeV/n He had an increased risk taking propensity (RTP)\compared to shams. The increased RTP of the He-exposed rats was associated with significantly increased reaction times during the trials, suggesting a SR-induced loss of processing speed. The response times of the He-exposed rats were even further reduced in trials that immediately followed a loss, raising the possibility that conflict and interference avoidance may be impaired after SR exposure. Whether these findings occur following other types of SR exposure, and/or in male rats remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Li
- School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Simran Phuyal
- School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Elliot Smits
- School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Faith E Reid
- School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Ella N Tamgue
- Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Paola Alvarado Arriaga
- Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Richard A Britten
- Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.
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2
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Seidler RD, Mao XW, Tays GD, Wang T, Zu Eulenburg P. Effects of spaceflight on the brain. Lancet Neurol 2024; 23:826-835. [PMID: 38945144 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(24)00224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The number of long duration human spaceflights has increased substantially over the past 15 years, leading to the discovery of numerous effects on the CNS. Microgravity results in headward fluid shifts, ventricular expansion, an upward shift of the brain within the skull, and remodelling of grey and white matter. The fluid changes are correlated with changes to perivascular space and spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome. Microgravity alters the vestibular processing of head tilt and results in reduced tactile and proprioceptive inputs during spaceflight. Sensory adaptation is reflected in postflight effects, evident as transient sensorimotor impairment. Another major concern is that galactic cosmic radiation, which spacefarers will be exposed to when going beyond the magnetosphere around Earth, might have a negative effect on CNS function. Research with rodents points to the potential disruptive effects of space radiation on blood-brain barrier integrity and brain structures. More work is needed to understand and mitigate these effects on the CNS before humans travel to Mars, as the flight durations will be longer than anyone has previously experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael D Seidler
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Grant D Tays
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tianyi Wang
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Peter Zu Eulenburg
- Institute for Neuroradiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
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3
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Adkins AM, Colby EM, Boden AF, Gotthold JD, Harris RD, Britten RA, Wellman LL, Sanford LD. Effects of social isolation and galactic cosmic radiation on fine motor skills and behavioral performance. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:74-79. [PMID: 38670655 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Future NASA missions will require astronauts to travel farther and spend longer durations in space than ever before. This will also expose astronauts to longer periods of several physical and psychological challenges, including exposure to space radiation (SR) and periods of social isolation (SI), which could have unknown negative effects on physical and mental health. Each also has the potential to negatively impact sleep which can reduce the ability to cope with stressful experiences and lead to sensorimotor, neurocognitive, and physical deficits. The effects of SI and SR on gross motor performance has been shown to vary, and depend on, individual differences in stress resilience and vulnerability based on our established animal model in which stress produces different effects on sleep. In this study, the impact that SI and SR, either alone or together, had on fine motor skill performance (bilateral tactile adhesive removal task (BTAR)) was assessed in male rats. We also examined emotional, exploratory, and other off-task behavioral responses during testing and assessed whether sensorimotor performance and emotion varied with individual differences in resilience and vulnerability. BTAR task performance was differentially impacted by SI and SR, and were further influenced by the stress resilience/vulnerability phenotype of the rats. These findings further demonstrate that identifying individual responses to stressors that can impact sensorimotor ability and behavior necessary to perform mission-related tasks will be of particular importance for astronauts and future missions. Should similar effects occur in humans, there may be considerable inter-individual variability in the impact that inflight stressors have on astronauts and their ability to perform mission-related tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M Adkins
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Emily M Colby
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Alea F Boden
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Justin D Gotthold
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Ryan D Harris
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Richard A Britten
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Laurie L Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA; Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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4
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Sandhu PS, Mirza Agha B, Inayat S, Singh S, Ryait HS, Mohajerani MH, Whishaw IQ. Information-theory analysis of mouse string-pulling agrees with Fitts's Law: Increasing task difficulty engages multiple sensorimotor modalities in a dual oscillator behavior. Behav Brain Res 2024; 456:114705. [PMID: 37838246 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Mouse string pulling, in which a mouse reels in a string with hand-over-hand movements, can provide insights into skilled motor behavior, neurological status, and cognitive function. The task involves two oscillatory movements connected by a string. The snout oscillates to track the pendulum movement of the string produced by hand-over-hand oscillations of pulling, and so the snout guides the hands to grasp the string. The present study examines the allocation of time required to pull strings of varying diameter. Movement is also described with end-point measures, string-pulling topography with 2D markerless pose estimates based on transfer learning with deep neural networks, and Mat-lab image-segmentation and heuristic algorithms for object tracking. With reduced string diameter, mice took longer to pull 60 cm long strings. They also made more pulling cycles, misses, and mouth engagements, and displayed changes in the amplitude and frequency of pull cycles. The time measures agree with Fitts's law in showing that increased task difficulty slows behavior and engages multiple compensatory sensorimotor modalities. The analysis reveals that time is a valuable resource in skilled motor behavior and information-theory can serve as a measure of its effective use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pardeepak S Sandhu
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Behroo Mirza Agha
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Samsoon Inayat
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Surjeet Singh
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | - Hardeep S Ryait
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ian Q Whishaw
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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5
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Pathare NN, Fayet-Moore F, Fogarty JA, Jacka FN, Strandwitz P, Strangman GE, Donoviel DB. Nourishing the brain on deep space missions: nutritional psychiatry in promoting resilience. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1170395. [PMID: 37663891 PMCID: PMC10469890 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1170395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The grueling psychological demands of a journey into deep space coupled with ever-increasing distances away from home pose a unique problem: how can we best take advantage of the benefits of fresh foods in a place that has none? Here, we consider the biggest challenges associated with our current spaceflight food system, highlight the importance of supporting optimal brain health on missions into deep space, and discuss evidence about food components that impact brain health. We propose a future food system that leverages the gut microbiota that can be individually tailored to best support the brain and mental health of crews on deep space long-duration missions. Working toward this goal, we will also be making investments in sustainable means to nourish the crew that remains here on spaceship Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihar N. Pathare
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Jennifer A. Fogarty
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), Houston, TX, United States
| | - Felice N. Jacka
- Food and Mood Centre, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Gary E. Strangman
- Neural Systems Group, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard-MIT, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Dorit B. Donoviel
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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6
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Britten RA, Limoli CL. New Radiobiological Principles for the CNS Arising from Space Radiation Research. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1293. [PMID: 37374076 DOI: 10.3390/life13061293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, the brain has been regarded as a relatively insensitive late-reacting tissue, with radiologically detectable damage not being reported at doses < 60 Gy. When NASA proposed interplanetary exploration missions, it was required to conduct an intensive health and safety evaluation of cancer, cardiovascular, and cognitive risks associated with exposure to deep space radiation (SR). The SR dose that astronauts on a mission to Mars are predicted to receive is ~300 mGy. Even after correcting for the higher RBE of the SR particles, the biologically effective SR dose (<1 Gy) would still be 60-fold lower than the threshold dose for clinically detectable neurological damage. Unexpectedly, the NASA-funded research program has consistently reported that low (<250 mGy) doses of SR induce deficits in multiple cognitive functions. This review will discuss these findings and the radical paradigm shifts in radiobiological principles for the brain that were required in light of these findings. These included a shift from cell killing to loss of function models, an expansion of the critical brain regions for radiation-induced cognitive impediments, and the concept that the neuron may not be the sole critical target for neurocognitive impairment. The accrued information on how SR exposure impacts neurocognitive performance may provide new opportunities to reduce neurocognitive impairment in brain cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Britten
- EVMS Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department Radiation Oncology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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7
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Puukila S, Siu O, Rubinstein L, Tahimic CGT, Lowe M, Tabares Ruiz S, Korostenskij I, Semel M, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Shirazi-Fard Y, Alwood JS, Paul AM, Ronca AE. Galactic Cosmic Irradiation Alters Acute and Delayed Species-Typical Behavior in Male and Female Mice. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051214. [PMID: 37240858 DOI: 10.3390/life13051214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to space galactic cosmic radiation is a principal consideration for deep space missions. While the effects of space irradiation on the nervous system are not fully known, studies in animal models have shown that exposure to ionizing radiation can cause neuronal damage and lead to downstream cognitive and behavioral deficits. Cognitive health implications put humans and missions at risk, and with the upcoming Artemis missions in which female crew will play a major role, advance critical analysis of the neurological and performance responses of male and female rodents to space radiation is vital. Here, we tested the hypothesis that simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCRSim) exposure disrupts species-typical behavior in mice, including burrowing, rearing, grooming, and nest-building that depend upon hippocampal and medial prefrontal cortex circuitry. Behavior comprises a remarkably well-integrated representation of the biology of the whole animal that informs overall neural and physiological status, revealing functional impairment. We conducted a systematic dose-response analysis of mature (6-month-old) male and female mice exposed to either 5, 15, or 50 cGy 5-ion GCRSim (H, Si, He, O, Fe) at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL). Behavioral performance was evaluated at 72 h (acute) and 91-days (delayed) postradiation exposure. Specifically, species-typical behavior patterns comprising burrowing, rearing, and grooming as well as nest building were analyzed. A Neuroscore test battery (spontaneous activity, proprioception, vibrissae touch, limb symmetry, lateral turning, forelimb outstretching, and climbing) was performed at the acute timepoint to investigate early sensorimotor deficits postirradiation exposure. Nest construction, a measure of neurological and organizational function in rodents, was evaluated using a five-stage Likert scale 'Deacon' score that ranged from 1 (a low score where the Nestlet is untouched) to 5 (a high score where the Nestlet is completely shredded and shaped into a nest). Differential acute responses were observed in females relative to males with respect to species-typical behavior following 15 cGy exposure while delayed responses were observed in female grooming following 50 cGy exposure. Significant sex differences were observed at both timepoints in nest building. No deficits in sensorimotor behavior were observed via the Neuroscore. This study revealed subtle, sexually dimorphic GCRSim exposure effects on mouse behavior. Our analysis provides a clearer understanding of GCR dose effects on species typical, sensorimotor and organizational behaviors at acute and delayed timeframes postirradiation, thereby setting the stage for the identification of underlying cellular and molecular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Puukila
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Olivia Siu
- Space Life Sciences Training Program (SLSTP), NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
| | - Linda Rubinstein
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Hospital, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Moniece Lowe
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Steffy Tabares Ruiz
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Ivan Korostenskij
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Maya Semel
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Yasaman Shirazi-Fard
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Joshua S Alwood
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Amber M Paul
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - April E Ronca
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Wake Forest Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
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8
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Sanford LD, Adkins AM, Boden AF, Gotthold JD, Harris RD, Shuboni-Mulligan D, Wellman LL, Britten RA. Sleep and Core Body Temperature Alterations Induced by Space Radiation in Rats. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041002. [PMID: 37109531 PMCID: PMC10144689 DOI: 10.3390/life13041002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep problems in astronauts can arise from mission demands and stress and can impact both their health and ability to accomplish mission objectives. In addition to mission-related physical and psychological stressors, the long durations of the proposed Mars missions will expose astronauts to space radiation (SR), which has a significant impact on the brain and may also alter sleep and physiological functions. Therefore, in this study, we assessed sleep, EEG spectra, activity, and core body temperature (CBT) in rats exposed to SR and compared them to age-matched nonirradiated rats. Male outbred Wistar rats (8-9 months old at the time of the study) received SR (15 cGy GCRsim, n = 15) or served as age- and time-matched controls (CTRL, n = 15) without irradiation. At least 90 days after SR and 3 weeks prior to recording, all rats were implanted with telemetry transmitters for recording EEG, activity, and CBT. Sleep, EEG spectra (delta, 0.5-4 Hz; theta, 4-8 Hz; alpha, 8-12 Hz; sigma, 12-16 Hz; beta, 16-24 Hz), activity, and CBT were examined during light and dark periods and during waking and sleeping states. When compared to the CTRLs, SR produced significant reductions in the amounts of dark period total sleep time, total nonrapid eye movement sleep (NREM), and total rapid eye movement sleep (REM), with significant decreases in light and dark period NREM deltas and dark period REM thetas as well as increases in alpha and sigma in NREM and REM during either light or dark periods. The SR animals showed modest increases in some measures of activity. CBT was significantly reduced during waking and sleeping in the light period. These data demonstrate that SR alone can produce alterations to sleep and temperature control that could have consequences for astronauts and their ability to meet mission demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Austin M Adkins
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Alea F Boden
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Justin D Gotthold
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Ryan D Harris
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Dorela Shuboni-Mulligan
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Laurie L Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
| | - Richard A Britten
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA
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9
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Differential Impact of Social Isolation and Space Radiation on Behavior and Motor Learning in Rats. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030826. [PMID: 36983981 PMCID: PMC10057568 DOI: 10.3390/life13030826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Future missions to Mars will expose astronauts to several physical and psychological challenges, including exposure to space radiation (SR) and periods of social isolation (SI). Each of these stressors, in addition to mission demands, can affect physical and mental health and potentially negatively impact sleep. The effects of inflight stressors may vary with duration and time course, may be additive or compounding, and may vary with individual differences in stress resilience and vulnerability. Determining how individual differences in resilient and vulnerable phenotypes respond to these mission-related stressors and their interactions with sleep will be crucial for understanding and mitigating factors that can impair performance and damage health. Here, we examined the single and compound effects of ground-based analogs of SI and SR on sensorimotor performance on the balance beam (BB) in rats. We also assessed emotional responses during testing on the BB and assessed whether sensorimotor performance and emotion varied with individual differences in stress resiliency using our established animal model in which stress produces different effects on sleep. Results showed differential motor performance and emotion in the BB task between SI and SR, and these varied based on resilient and vulnerable phenotypes. These findings demonstrate that identifying individual responses to stressors that can impact sensorimotor ability and behavior necessary to perform mission-related tasks will be of particular importance for astronauts and future missions. Should similar effects occur in humans, there may be considerable inter-individual variability in the impact that flight stressors have on the mental health of astronauts and their ability to perform mission-related tasks.
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10
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Saadat A, Blackwell A, Kaszowski C, Pallera H, Owens D, Lattanzio F, Shah T. Therapeutic hypothermia demonstrates sex-dependent improvements in motor function in a rat model of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Behav Brain Res 2023; 437:114119. [PMID: 36162642 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a neurological disease caused by restricted oxygen and blood flow to the brain at or around the time of birth. Long term cognitive and motor sequelae are common and demonstrate sexual dimorphism in animal studies. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard of care for HIE, but provides incomplete neuroprotection. Using the Vannucci model of neonatal HIE, term-equivalent 11-day old rat pups were subjected to mild-moderate hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII), and a subset of animals were treated with TH. Sex-dependent neuroprotection was measured with gross and fine motor control assays, and functional deficits detected with these assays were correlated to injury in specific brain structures. At the equivalent of human adolescence and adulthood (P51-89), accelerod and beam walking tests were used to assess gross motor function, and string-pulling and food handling tests were used to assess fine motor function. At necropsy (P94-97), brain lesions were primarily focused to the posterior cerebrum and characterized by variable reduction in cortical, thalamic and hippocampal regions and glial scarring. Gross motor impairment was detected in male rats with untreated and TH-treated HIE in the accelerod test, but beam walk test data was confounded by the lower body mass of untreated male rats. HIE animals of both sexes demonstrated deficit in the forelimb contralateral to ischemic surgery, observed as unilaterally impaired food handling behaviors, and in string pulling as decreased string contacts and increased in bracing behavior. However, kinematic analyses revealed sex-specific decreases in peak speeds in string reaching and pulling movements. In both sexes, treatment with TH improved body mass, some measures of contralateral forelimb impairment, and the severity of brain lesions to levels not different to Sham surgery rats. Unique differences in behavior following TH were observed in female rats, who took longer to consume food items but traversed beams and approached strings faster than untreated and Sham females. Future use of these motor assays may unravel the subtle, sex-specific differences in HIE outcomes and in developing a customized therapeutic approach to neonatal brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Saadat
- Neonatal Brain Institute, Children's Specialty Group, USA.
| | - Ashley Blackwell
- Center for Integrative Neuroinflammatory and Inflammatory Diseases, USA; Dept. Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA
| | | | - Haree Pallera
- Neonatal Brain Institute, Children's Specialty Group, USA
| | - Daley Owens
- Neonatal Brain Institute, Children's Specialty Group, USA
| | - Frank Lattanzio
- Dept. Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA
| | - Tushar Shah
- Neonatal Brain Institute, Children's Specialty Group, USA
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Blackwell AA, Tracz JA, Fesshaye AS, Tidmore A, Osterlund Oltmanns JR, Schaeffer EA, Lake RI, Wallace DG, Britten RA. Fine motor deficits exhibited in rat string-pulling behavior following exposure to sleep fragmentation and deep space radiation. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:427-440. [PMID: 36574036 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Deep space flight missions will expose astronauts to multiple stressors, including sleep fragmentation and space radiation. There is debate over whether sleep disruptions are an issue in deep space. While these stressors independently impair sensorimotor function, the combined effects on performance are currently unknown. String-pulling behavior involves highly organized bimanual reach-to-grasp and withdraw movements. This behavior was examined under rested wakeful conditions and immediately following one session of sleep fragmentation in Sham and irradiated rats 3 months after exposure (10 cGy 4Helium or 5-ion simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation). Sleep fragmentation disrupted several aspects of string-pulling behavior, such that rats' ability to grasp the string was reduced, reach endpoint concentration was more variable, and distance traveled by the nose increased in the Y-range compared to rested wakeful performance. Overall, irradiated rats missed the string more than Sham rats 3 months post-exposure. Irradiated rats also exhibited differential impairments at 3 months, with additional deficits unveiled after sleep fragmentation. 4Helium-exposed rats took longer to approach the string after sleep fragmentation. Further, rats exposed to 4Helium traveled shorter withdraw distances 3 months after irradiation, while this only emerged in the other irradiated group after sleep fragmentation. These findings identify sleep fragmentation as a risk for fine motor dysfunction in Sham and irradiated conditions, in addition to radiation exposure. There may be complex temporal alterations in performance that are stressor- and ion-dependent. Thus, it is critical to implement appropriate models of multi-flight stressors and performance assessments in preparation for future deep space flight missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Blackwell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA. .,Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.
| | - Jovanna A Tracz
- School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
| | - Arriyam S Fesshaye
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
| | - Alyssa Tidmore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
| | | | - Ericka A Schaeffer
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Rami I Lake
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Douglas G Wallace
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Richard A Britten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 700 W. Olney Rd., Lewis Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.,Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
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