Future manned deep space missions would expose astronauts to levels of radiation that can accelerate the onset of Alzheimer's disease (Image: NASA, JAXA)
Unlike the later on discarded "space madness" problem , studies now have shown that the cosmic rays to which astronauts will be exposed during future manned missions could cause cognitive problems and even hasten the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. This is an addition to the already large list of possible effects of cosmic rays, along with cancer risk, impact on cardiovascular and skeletomuscular system, which have been found in the research funded by NASA since the last 25 years in this field.
A team from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, led by M. Kerry O’Banion, M.D., Ph.D., which has been working with NASA for over eight years, focused on the impact of high-mass, high-charged (HZE) particles. Unlike hydrogen protons that are produced by solar flares and which astronauts can take precautions against with appropriate warning, HZE particles are propelled through space at very high speeds from the force of exploding stars. They come in various forms, including iron particles, which is the one the researchers chose to examine.
“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.”
As a part of the research, mice were exposed to various levels of various radiations, and then tested for various cognitive faculties, in which many irradiated ones failed.The brains of the mice also showed signs of vascular alterations and a greater than normal accumulation of the protein “plaque” beta amyloid, the accumulation of which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.“These findings clearly suggest that exposure to radiation in space has the potential to accelerate the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” said O’Banion. “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.”
This sure is a concern for NASA , who are planning for a manned mission to mars in 2025, and will have to start thinking of ways to prevent from this soon, soon enough for its efficacy to be verified as well in time.
The team’s study appears in the journal PLOS ONE.
Source: University of Rochester Medical Center, Gizmag
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