Headward fluid shift is a natural consequence of working in microgravity. It is theorized to be the cause of changes in brain morphology and the development of optic nerve pathology in astronauts. This study looked at the application of artificial gravity in the form of short-arm centrifugation at 0.3g as a potential countermeasure in 24 healthy volunteers over a 60 day period. Headward fluid shift was simulated using a head down tilt bed rest model. Both continuous and intermittent artificial gravity for 30 minutes per day failed to show any benefit on intracranial changes associated with chronic headward fluid shift.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.