Coherence Between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance During Changed Gravity Conditions

Alongside a well-known physiological deconditioning, such as a decrease in muscle mass or bone demineralization, extended stays in weightlessness also cause cognitive dysfunction. However, the studies on this subject during space missions short or long term could not determine how these cognitive dysfunction resulted from a direct effect of weightlessness or a stress-related effect. Analysis of electro-encephalography (EEG) using a standardized mapping method is used to study the changes of operation of the cerebral cortex as the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a reflection of changes in the cerebral hemodynamics. Their combined use is a relatively simple and economical method for studying brain changes in an environment where the normal brain imaging techniques can not be used. The main objective of this experiment is to evaluate the alterations in brain cortical activity and brain oxygenation level induced by micro- and hypergravity conditions.