Spaceflight and Ground-Based Microgravity Simulation Impact on Cognition and Brain Plasticity

作者：Jiaqi Hao, Jun Chang, Yulin Deng · 发表于：International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/ijms26199521 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Spaceflight effects on biology、Anesthesia and Neurotoxicity Research、Space Exploration and Technology

Microgravity exposure during spaceflight has been linked to cognitive impairments, including deficits in attention, executive function, and spatial memory. Both space missions and ground-based analogs-such as head-down bed rest, dry immersion, and hindlimb unloading-consistently demonstrate that altered gravity disrupts brain structure and neural plasticity. Neuroimaging data reveal significant changes in brain morphology, functional connectivity, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. At the cellular level, simulated microgravity impairs synaptic plasticity, alters dendritic spine architecture, and compromises neurotransmitter release. These changes are accompanied by dysregulation of neuroendocrine signaling, decreased expression of neurotrophic factors, and activation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory pathways. Molecular and omics-level analyses further point to mitochondrial dysfunction and disruptions in key signaling cascades governing synaptic integrity, energy metabolism, and neuronal survival. Despite these advances, discrepancies across studies-due to differences in models, durations, and endpoints-limit mechanistic clarity and translational relevance. Human data remain scarce, emphasizing the need for standardized, longitudinal, and multimodal investigations. This review provides an integrated synthesis of current evidence on the cognitive and neurobiological effects of microgravity, spanning behavioral, structural, cellular, and molecular domains. By identifyin...