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NASA astronaut brain study shows space flight may damage eyesight

16.03.2012 [19:20]
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Baku, March 16 (AZERTAC). BRAIN scans of NASA astronauts who were in space for more than a month revealed potentially serious abnormalities that could set back plans for longer deep space missions, according to a US study.

Researchers from The University of Texas Medical School in Houston scanned the eyes and brains of 27 astronauts who had spent an average of 108 days in space, either on space shuttle missions or aboard the International Space Station.

They found that those who spent more than a month in space were more likely to suffer from intracranial hypertension - a potentially serious condition that occurs when pressure builds within the skull.

Professor Larry Kramer, lead author, said: "The MRI findings revealed various combinations of abnormalities following both short and long-term cumulative exposure to microgravity also seen with idiopathic intracranial hypertension."