Astronauts Have Brain Changes Even Months After They Return to Earth

The latest evaluation of microgravity's warping effect on our biology focuses on the spaces surrounding the blood vessels that weave through our brain

Researchers from across the US compared a series of MRI scans of 15 astronaut brains taken prior to a six-month stay on the International Space Station, and up to six months after their return

Using algorithms to carefully assess the sizes of perivascular spaces the team found time spent in orbit had a profound effect on the brain's plumbing. For the first-timers, at least

Among the pool of veteran astronauts there appeared to be little difference in the sizes of perivascular spaces in the two scans taken prior to the mission and the four taken after

The findings might not be there appeared to be little difference in the sizes of perivascular spaces in the two scans taken prior to the mission and the four taken after

Previous studies on brain tissues and their fluid volumes have found they're slow to recover from a stint in space, with some changes persisting for a year or more

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