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Abstract #1258

A first insight in regional brain changes after parabolic flight: a voxel-based morphometry study.

Angelique Van Ombergen 1 , Ben Jeurissen 2 , Floris Vanhevel 3 , Dirk Loeckx 4 , Vincent Dousset 5 , Paul M. Parizel 3 , and Floris L. Wuyts 1

1 Antwerp University Research centre for Equilibrium and Aerospace, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium, 2 iMinds/Visionlab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium, 3 Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium, 4 icoMetrix, Leuven, Belgium, 5 Neuroradiology Department, CHU Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France

This study is a part of a larger study where we investigate for the first time ever the possible effects of gravity transitions on brain connectivity and morphology. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to assess anatomical differences throughout the brain in 16 healthy and first-time parabolic flyers. MRI investigations were carried out before and immediately after the parabolic flight. Our results suggest that gravity shifts have an impact on brain morphology and possibly also connectivity, in regions that are know to play a pivotal role in the integration of neurosensory information (vestibular, visual and proprioceptive info).

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