Space Analogs and Behavioral Health Performance Research review and recommendations checklist from ESA Topical Team.

Space analog research has increased over the last few years with new analogs appearing every year. Research in this field is very important for future real mission planning, selection and training of astronauts. Analog environments offer specific characteristics that resemble to some extent the environment of a real space mission.

Effect of artificial gravity on neurocognitive performance during head-down tilt bedrest.

This study evaluated the acute and chronic effects of intermittent and continuous Artificial Gravity (AG) on cognitive performance during 60 days of Head-down tilt bedrest (HDTBR), a well-established ground-based spaceflight analogue method. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: intermittent AG, continuous AG, and HDTBR control group without AG exposure. Task performance and electrophysiological measures of attention and working memory were investigated during Simple and Complex tasks in the Visual and the Auditory modality.

Short-term isolation effects on the brain, cognitive performance, and sleep-The role of exercise.

Isolation is stressful and negatively affects sleep and mood and might also affect the structure and function of the brain. Physical exercise improves brain function. We investigated the influence of physical exercise during isolation on sleep, affect, and neurobehavioral function.

Disease-inclusive exercise classes improve physical fitness and reduce depressive symptoms in individuals with and without Parkinson's disease-A feasibility study.

Background And Purpose: Exercise is an adjunctive treatment in the management of Parkinson's disease (PD), but barriers such as health status, fear of overexertion, and lack of transportation to the location prevent regular exercise participation. Disease-inclusive exercise classes may offer an opportunity to make exercise more accessible for older adults with and without diseases. However, the efficacy of such heterogenous exercise classes is still widely unknown.

The effect of a psychomotor intervention on electroencephalography and neuropsychological performances in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment.

Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the acute effect of a psychomotor intervention (PMI) on auditory-verbal memory, emotional state, and electrocortical activity recorded by electroencephalography on subjectively healthy older adults (sHE) and older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCIs).

Methods: Eleven MCIs and 11 sHE underwent a single 45-min PMI. Resting state electroencephalography, the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test, MoodMeter®, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were compared between groups and pre- and post-PMI.

NeuroExercise: The Effect of a 12-Month Exercise Intervention on Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment-A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Exercise intervention studies in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), have demonstrated inconsistent yet promising results. Addressing the limitations of previous studies, this trial investigated the effects of a 12-month structured exercise program on the progression of MCI. The NeuroExercise study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial across three European countries (Ireland, Netherlands, Germany).

Shifts in broadband power and alpha peak frequency observed during long-term isolation.

Prolonged periods of social isolation and spatial confinement do not only represent an issue that needs to be faced by a few astronauts during space missions, but can affect all of us as recently shown during pandemic situations. The fundamental question, how the brain adapts to periods of sensory deprivation and re-adapts to normality, has only received little attention. Here, we use eyes closed and eyes open resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings to investigate how neural activity is altered during 120 days of isolation in a spatially confined, space-analogue environment.

Inefficient resource allocation is associated with reduced alpha activity in parietal regions in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

The brain's ability to act as an input filter and to suppress actions is crucial to navigate everyday life and impairments in these abilities affect quality of life substantially. Although Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily known as a movement disorder, recent research has redefined it as a multisystem disorder affecting cognition, in particular inhibitory control and attentional resource allocation. Analysing the neural mechanisms underlying this cognitive deficit provides a better understanding of brain changes observed in patients affected by PD.

Auditory event-related potentials in individuals with subjective and mild cognitive impairment.

Objective: The analysis of event-related potentials (ERPs) is a useful tool to differentiate between healthy older adults, and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Less is known about the ERPs' sensitivity of differentiating between individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and MCI, as early evidence indicates similar brain alterations between these two groups. In order, to establish tests that are sensitive to subclinical impairment, this study compared auditory evoked ERPs between individuals with SCI and MCI.

Transient cerebral blood flow responses during microgravity.

Purpose: A number of studies has well described central cardiovascular changes caused by changing gravity levels as they occur e.g. during parabolic flight.

Validation of a widely used heart rate monitor to track steps in older adults.

Background: Activity tracking devices gain popularity in research, which is due to their multiple features (e.g. heart rate monitor, step count) and easy handling.

Rating of perceived exertion - a valid method for monitoring light to vigorous exercise intensity in individuals with subjective and mild cognitive impairment?

In rehabilitation settings, exercise intensity is often monitored with Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE). However, previous studies showed that severe cognitive impairment may limit the usability of the RPE. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between RPE and heart rate (HR), and to establish whether a target RPE can be used to achieve exercise intensity based on an individual's HR-RPE in people with early cognitive impairment.

Neurocognitive performance is enhanced during short periods of microgravity-Part 2.

Previous studies showed a decrease in reaction time during the weightlessness phase of a parabolic flight. This effect was found to be stronger with increasing task complexity and was independent of previous experience of weightlessness as well as anti-nausea medication. Analysis of event related potentials showed a decreased amplitude of the N100-P200 complex in weightlessness but was not able to distinguish a possible effect of task complexity.

Neurophysiological, neuropsychological, and cognitive effects of 30 days of isolation.

The increasing demand of space flights requires a profound knowledge of the chronologic reactions of the human body to extreme conditions. Prior studies already have shown the adverse effects of long-term isolation on psycho-physiological well-being. The chronology of the effects and whether short-term isolation periods already lead to similar effects has not been investigated.

Cerebral Blood Flow during Interval and Continuous Exercise in Young and Old Men.

Purpose: Aging is associated with impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) and increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. Acute increases in CBF during exercise may initiate improvements in cerebrovascular health, but the CBF response is diminished during continuous exercise in older adults. The effect of interval exercise for promoting increases in CBF in young and old adults is unknown.

The influence of microgravity on cerebral blood flow and electrocortical activity.

Changes in gravity conditions have previously been reported to influence brain hemodynamics as well as neuronal activity. This paper attempts to identify a possible link between changes in brain blood flow and neuronal activity during microgravity. Middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCAv) was measured using Doppler ultrasound.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cognitive Function are Positively Related Among Participants with Mild and Subjective Cognitive Impairment.

Background: By 2030, about 74 million people will be diagnosed with dementia, and many more will experience subjective (SCI) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). As physical inactivity has been identified to be a strong modifiable risk factor for dementia, exercise and physical activity (PA) may be important parameters to predict the progression from MCI to dementia, but might also represent disease trajectory modifying strategies for SCI and MCI.

Objective: A better understanding of the relationship between activity, fitness, and cognitive function across the spectrum of MCI and SCI would provide an insight into the potential utility of PA and fitness as early markers, and treatment targets to prevent cognitive decline.

Computer-Based Exercise Program: Effects of a 12-Week Intervention on Mood and Fatigue in Pediatric Patients With Cancer .

Background: Increasing rates of survival present a new set of physical and psychological challenges for children dealing with side effects during cancer treatment. Physical activity has been shown to be an effective strategy to reduce several side effects.
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Cognitive Impairment Is Reflected by an Increased Difference between Real and Imagined Timed Up and Go Test Performance.

Background: Recent research suggests using an imaginary version of the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) for a first assessment of cognitive impairment. By using the time difference between a real (TUGr) and an imagined (TUGi) TUG task, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive impairment on motor imagery ability.

Methods: Fifty-two participants (mean age 69.

Neuro-cognitive performance is enhanced during short periods of microgravity.

There is increasing interest in the effects of microgravity on cognitive processing, particularly as it relates to the potential for human space travel. While findings to date are quite inconsistent, studies reporting a decrement in cognitive performance have generally not been able to distinguish between the direct influence of microgravity, and any associated influence of stress. Furthermore, the currently available findings are primarily based on behavioral observations, and there is a need to better understand the underlying neurophysiological responses.

Exercise in isolation--a countermeasure for electrocortical, mental and cognitive impairments.

Introduction: Mental impairments, including deterioration of mood and cognitive performance, are known to occur during isolation and space missions, but have been insufficiently investigated. Appropriate countermeasures are required, such as exercise, which is known to prevent mood disorders for prolonged space and isolation missions. Based on the interaction of brain activity, mood and cognitive performance, this study aims to investigate the effect of long-term isolation and confinement and the long-term effect of exercise on these parameters.

The impact of chronic stress burden of 520-d isolation and confinement on the physiological response to subsequent acute stress challenge.

Collective evidence indicates that previous exposure to stressful condition might be able to induce changes in brain structure, HPA axis activity and related neurotransmission, and accordingly affect physiological responses to subsequent challenges. During long-term spaceflight, space travelers have to live under the condition of isolation and confinement in the spacecraft for a long period. It is still largely unknown if this kind of chronic stress burden can induce any long-lasting changes.

Feasibility of monitoring muscle health in microgravity environments using Myoton technology.

Physical exercise is important for people living under extreme environmental conditions to stay healthy. Particularly in space, exercise can partially counteract the loss of muscle mass and muscle strength caused by microgravity. Monitoring the adaptation of the musculoskeletal system to assess muscle quality and devise individual training programmes is highly desirable but is restricted by practical, technical and time constraints on board the International Space Station.