ArticleNPJ microgravity2017
Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?
Article in NPJ microgravity, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
31 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 65 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pharmacological and non-pharmacological countermeasures to Space Motion Sickness: a systematic review.Frontiers in neural circuits · 2023Pooled it
- Space Oddity: microgravity as a neurocognitive catalyst for transformative consciousness experiences.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Neural activation is enhanced with operational task ecological validity during complex cognitive tasks.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2026Article
- Neural changes in microgravity: Investigating the effects of aerospace environments.IBRO neuroscience reports · 2025Review
- Multi-connectomics underpin emotional dysfunction in mouse exposed to simulated space composite environment.Translational psychiatry · 2025Article
- Spaceflight and Ground-Based Microgravity Simulation Impact on Cognition and Brain Plasticity.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
- taVNS as a potential countermeasure for neurocognitive decline in microgravity.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2025Article
- Effects of repeated gravity changes during parabolic flight: Evidence of the need to assist space tourists to outer space.PloS one · 2025Article
- A resting-state fMRI cross-sectional study of cardiorespiratory fitness decline after stroke.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Article
- A New Perspective to Interpret How the Vestibular Efferent System Correlates the Complexity of Routine Balance Maintenance with Management of Emergency Fall Prevention Strategies.Audiology research · 2024Article
- Long-term space missions' effects on the human organism: what we do know and what requires further research.Frontiers in physiology · 2024Review
- Long-term spaceflight composite stress induces depression and cognitive impairment in astronauts-insights from neuroplasticity.Translational psychiatry · 2023Review
- Cognition in zero gravity: Effects of non-terrestrial gravity on human behaviour.Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006) · 2023Article
- Optimizing transcranial magnetic stimulation for spaceflight applications.NPJ microgravity · 2023Article
- Human movement in simulated hypogravity-Bridging the gap between space research and terrestrial rehabilitation.Frontiers in neurology · 2023Review
- Space flight and central nervous system: Friends or enemies? Challenges and opportunities for neuroscience and neuro-oncology.Journal of neuroscience research · 2022Review
- Article
- Dynamic Foot Stimulations During Short-Term Hindlimb Unloading Prevent Dysregulation of the Neurotransmission in the Hippocampus of Rats.Cellular and molecular neurobiology · 2021Article
- Precision Magnetometers for Aerospace Applications: A Review.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Review
- Microgravity effects on the human brain and behavior: Dysfunction and adaptive plasticity.Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Space travel poses an enormous challenge on the human body; microgravity, ionizing radiation, absence of circadian rhythm, confinement and isolation are just some of the features associated with it. Obviously, all of the latter can have an impact on human physiology and even induce detrimental changes. Some organ systems have been studied thoroughly under space conditions, however, not much is known on the functional and morphological effects of spaceflight on the human central nervous system. Previous studies have already shown that central nervous system changes occur during and after spaceflight in the form of neurovestibular problems, alterations in cognitive function and sensory perception, cephalic fluid shifts and psychological disturbances. However, little is known about the underlying neural substrates. In this review, we discuss the current limited knowledge on neuroplastic changes in the human central nervous system associated with spaceflight (actual or simulated) as measured by magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques. Furthermore, we discuss these findings as well as their future perspectives, since this can encourage future research into this delicate and intriguing aspect of spaceflight. Currently, the literature suffers from heterogeneous experimental set-ups and therefore, the lack of comparability of findings among studies. However, the cerebellum, cortical sensorimotor and somatosensory areas and vestibular-related pathways seem to be involved across different studies, suggesting that these brain regions are most affected by (simulated) spaceflight. Extending this knowledge is crucial, especially with the eye on long-duration interplanetary missions (e.g. Mars) and space tourism.
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.